Elon Musk: Trump Has Agreed to Shut Down the U.S. Agency for International Development

Elon Musk, senior advisor to the President of the United States, says Donald Trump has agreed to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). In a live interview on the social media platform X, Musk stated that this organization is 'beyond reform' and must be completely dismantled. These remarks came after two senior security officials of USAID were suspended for 'refusing to provide classified information' to Musk's government team. Reports indicate that despite this, the 'Government Efficiency Office' established by Musk and the Trump administration to reduce the federal workforce and eliminate federal programs has managed to access the agency's confidential information, even though its members did not have adequate security clearance. The United States is by far the largest donor of humanitarian aid in the world, and USAID manages billions of dollars in humanitarian, developmental, and security assistance in over 100 countries. However, this agency has faced severe criticism since the beginning of Donald Trump's second presidential term, with opponents accusing it of 'inefficiency' and implementing 'costly, pointless programs.' The head of the U.S. Global Development Agency has resigned. Musk harshly criticized USAID, calling it a 'criminal organization,' while Trump described it as 'managed by extremists' and stated that he is reviewing its future. Musk even claimed on X that this agency 'funded research on biological weapons, including COVID-19, using taxpayers' money,' but did not provide evidence for this assertion. Meanwhile, reports indicate that the head of USAID has resigned, and about 100 employees of the organization have been placed on mandatory leave. The Trump administration has halted many of the agency's programs by blocking foreign aid, leading to the layoffs of thousands of humanitarian organization staff. Senator Elizabeth Warren from the Democratic Party has reacted by accusing Trump of 'disclosing personal information of citizens and cutting government budgets' and has called for action against these measures. It has also been reported that Musk's group has gained access to sensitive information from the Treasury Department, including Social Security and Medicare payment systems, resulting in the resignation of a senior official from that department.