Elon Musk launched a harsh attack on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on Sunday, calling it a “criminal organization” after President Trump criticized the agency as being “run by radical lunatics.”
This move marks a new chapter in Trump’s collaboration with Musk to reshape government operations, targeting what they see as wasteful spending and overreach.
Musk accused USAID of using taxpayer dollars for bioweapon research, including the creation of COVID-19, which he claims caused millions of deaths. Although Musk didn’t provide evidence, these allegations have been linked to a Russian disinformation campaign. Musk’s comments fueled his broader push to overhaul federal departments, with Trump supporting him, stating that Musk was “doing a good job.”
The Trump administration froze USAID’s funding for three months, though food aid was later exempted. However, the future of the agency is uncertain, with some speculating it may be absorbed by the State Department. USAID’s budget, around $42.8 billion, funds global humanitarian relief.
Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) was formed to cut federal spending, but its lack of formal status raises questions about its accountability. Musk claimed that significant progress had been made in reducing the deficit, targeting fraud and waste, though the details were vague.
Reports surfaced that two senior USAID officials were placed on leave after blocking DOGE staff from accessing classified information. While Trump’s aide denied these reports, USAID’s social media and website were temporarily shut down.
Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Chris Murphy and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have criticized Musk’s influence, with Ocasio-Cortez calling it a “grave threat to national security” for an “unelected billionaire” to access classified data.
