The tech mogul pushes for the closure of the $50 billion aid agency, alleging it is irreparable.
Elon Musk has taken a strong stance against the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), labelling it a “criminal organisation” and suggesting it should be shut down. The tech billionaire voiced these remarks during a live session on X Spaces, where he shared that discussions with former President Donald Trump had led to the conclusion that the agency was beyond reform.
Musk stated, “He [Trump] agreed we should shut it down. It became clear that this isn’t just an apple with a worm in it; it’s a ball of worms. You need to remove the entire thing. It’s beyond repair. We’re shutting it down.” On social media, Musk doubled down on the criticism, calling USAID a “criminal organisation” without providing evidence to back his claims, adding, “Time for it to die.”
While USAID has been the subject of scrutiny over its spending, especially after an investigation by The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ), Musk did not offer any specifics regarding the allegations he made.
On Monday, USAID announced that its headquarters in Washington D.C. would be closed for the day, with staff instructed to work remotely the following day. This came after a series of government actions, including an executive order by Trump to halt foreign aid temporarily shortly after taking office, a move which had led to substantial debate regarding U.S. foreign assistance programs.
USAID, which was founded in 1961 under President John F. Kennedy, is a major player in global humanitarian efforts, providing foreign aid and supporting countries suffering from poverty, conflict, and natural disasters. The agency is the world’s largest donor of international food aid, and it has channelled billions of dollars into struggling economies worldwide.
The U.S. spends roughly $40 billion annually on foreign aid out of a total $50 billion budget, representing a significant portion of global humanitarian aid. USAID operates in over 130 countries, supporting various initiatives, from disaster relief to sustainable development.
However, Musk’s comments come amid a turbulent time for the agency. Recently, two top USAID security officials were placed on leave after refusing to comply with demands from Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team for classified information. Despite initial resistance, DOGE eventually gained access to the information, which included intelligence reports.
Further reports revealed that Musk’s aides had also locked senior government workers out of vital databases containing personal data of federal employees. Musk’s comments follow Trump’s earlier plans to overhaul government bureaucracy, promising to restructure federal agencies, reduce regulations, and cut unnecessary spending. This has led to speculation about the future of agencies like USAID under Musk’s influence.
