Beitrag vom 03.02.2025

Forbes

Elon Musk Says Trump Has ‘Agreed’ To Shut Down USAID

Siladitya Ray
Forbes Staff
Siladitya Ray is a New Delhi-based Forbes news team reporter.

Topline Elon Musk early on Monday said he had spoken with President Donald Trump who “agreed” with him that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) should be shut down, just hours after the president attacked the aid agency’s leadership by calling them “a bunch of radical lunatics.”

Musk’s remarks were made during an X Spaces stream that began at midnight EST to discuss the work of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The billionaire said he checked with him a few times and asked “Are you sure?” and Trump said yes, “so we’re shutting it down.”

Without offering evidence, Musk attacked the aid agency by claiming its work was “incredibly politically partisan.”

During the stream, Musk described USAID as not just an “apple with a worm it in” but rather a “bowl of worms” which was “beyond repair” and the only solution was “You’ve got to basically get rid of the whole thing.”

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, who was also on the stream said if there are “truly good pro-American programs” that were under the USAID’s ambit they should be moved under the State Department and “make sure we have proper oversight.”

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What Did Trump Say About Usaid On Sunday?
Earlier on Sunday evening, Trump was asked by reporters about the state of USAID and said: “Well it's been run by a bunch of radical lunatics, and we're getting them out...and then we'll make a decision.”

What To Know About Doge’s Clash With Usaid?
Operatives from the Department of Government Efficiency, which Musk leads, were reportedly stopped by senior USAID security officials while trying to access materials at the aid agency’s office, including classified information. According to CNN, the two USAID officials were placed on administrative leave on Saturday and the DOGE operatives were ultimately able to access the classified materials despite lacking the appropriate security clearances. Musk responded to CNN’s report by calling USAID a “criminal organization” without any evidence and adding that it was “time for it to die.”

Key Background
The USAID website went offline on Saturday afternoon amid a push by the Trump administration to bring the independent aid agency under the direct control of the State Department. Trump’s recent actions—including an order to freeze most foreign aid—have triggered confusion and uncertainty at the agency over the past week as staffers feared an impending shutdown. Several of the agency’s signs were taken down from its Washington D.C. offices on Friday, NBC News reported. Global aid groups have warned that shutting down USAID and a halt on U.S. foreign aid may have a catastrophic humanitarian impact across the world.