USAID

2025 - 2 - 3

Elon Musk vs. USAID: Who Will Win This Game of Shutdown?

Marco Rubio Donald Trump - Elon Musk - Global Poverty - Humanitarian Aid - Marco Rubio - Political Reorganization - U.S. Foreign Policy - USAID

Is Elon Musk about to give USAID the pink slip? Dive in as we unravel the chaos surrounding the potential shutdown of this major US foreign aid agency!

In a whirlwind turn of events, Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and Tesla CEO, has stirred the pot with his bold claims about the future of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Reports surface that the agency’s DC headquarters have been shuttered, with employees instructed to stay home. Musk, in a daring move, has supposedly secured an agreement with former President Donald Trump to consider shutting down USAID entirely. The implications of this could resonate through US foreign policy like a pebble tossed into a pond.

USAID has been a cornerstone of American foreign assistance, working tirelessly to promote global economic development and humanitarian aid. However, with Musk’s influence growing, questions arise about the agency’s relevance in current international relations. Critics worry that disbanding or merging USAID with the State Department could dilute its independence and effectiveness in serving global needs. This potential shift not only raises eyebrows but also raises fears of a significant departure from the established norms of US diplomacy.

As the crisis unfolds, reports indicate that over 10,000 USAID employees are left in limbo, facing possible job losses. Recent actions by security officials, including locking employees out of their systems, have only added fuel to the speculative fire about a looming shutdown. Many are questioning the wisdom of such drastic changes, with experts cautioning that without USAID, the US may lose its standing as a global leader in humanitarian assistance.

In the chaos, Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, announced he would temporarily take the reins of USAID, indicating that quick action will be taken amidst the impromptu shake-up. As we await further developments, it’s essential to remember that USAID has played a significant role in disaster relief and development projects worldwide. Did you know that between 2010 and 2018, USAID has invested over $6 billion in the Philippines alone? That's a huge impact! The future of USAID remains uncertain, and while Musk’s audacious ideas continue to make waves, the world watches closely to see what’s next for this vital international agency.

So, what’s next for the future of global aid? As the lines between technology and governance blur, one thing is for sure: whatever happens could change the game entirely. In the meantime, let’s hope if a shutdown does occur, someone remembers to pack up the ‘Going Out of Business’ sign!

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Musk says USAID to shut down as employees told to stay home (BBC News)

The international aid agency's website is down and security officials were put on leave, US media reports.

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

What is USAID, and how central is it to US foreign policy? (Aljazeera.com)

Elon Musk's criticism of USAID has sparked debate over whether the aid agency should be permanently closed.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

USAid headquarters reportedly closed and workers told to stay home (The Guardian)

Orders come less than a day after top security officials suspended as Musk leads moves towards agency's closure.

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

Can Trump Dissolve USAID By Executive Order? 10000 Employees ... (Forbes)

What will happen to 10000 employees? Elon Musk said that President Trump agreed to “shut down” the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Elon Musk said Donald Trump agreed USAID needs to be 'shut down' (CNN)

Elon Musk said President Donald Trump agreed the US Agency for International Development needs to be “shut down,” following days of speculation over the ...

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Image courtesy of "Brookings Institution"

Why merging USAID into State would undermine U.S. strategic ... (Brookings Institution)

George Ingram explains how efforts to merge USAID into the State Department threaten its independence and U.S. strategic interests.

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Image courtesy of "Voice of America"

USAID staffers told to stay out of Washington headquarters after ... (Voice of America)

USAID staffers said they also tracked more than 600 employees who reported being locked out of the agency's computer systems overnight.

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Image courtesy of "World Council of Credit Unions"

WOCCU Asks Secretary of State Rubio to Honor Existing USAID ... (World Council of Credit Unions)

MADISON, Wis.—World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) President and CEO Elissa McCarter LaBorde on Monday sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco ...

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Image courtesy of "CBS News"

Musk says Trump administration is on verge of shutting down USAID (CBS News)

Elon Musk, the administration's billionaire adviser and Tesla CEO, says the administration is on the verge of shutting the U.S. Agency for International ...

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Rubio announces he's acting director of USAID as Musk and Trump ... (CNN)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Monday that he is acting administrator the US Agency for International Development after Elon Musk, the world's ...

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

Trump alleges USAID 'fraud' and puts Rubio in charge as Musk ... (NPR)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he is acting director the U.S. Agency for International Development, following a pause in foreign assistance and layoffs ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

What is USAID and why does Donald Trump want to end it? (BBC News)

The US aid agency spends billions around the world on humanitarian support - but its future is in doubt.

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

US Secretary of State Rubio says he has become 'acting director' of ... (Aljazeera.com)

The Trump administration has sought to rein in US assistance abroad, with his advisers warning USAID could be closed.

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Image courtesy of "NBC News"

What is USAID? Who benefits from it and why Musk says he and ... (NBC News)

What is USAID, the foreign assistance agency the Trump administration wants to shut down? Established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, the U.S. Agency for ...

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Image courtesy of "WDSU New Orleans"

What is USAID? Explaining the US foreign aid agency and why ... (WDSU New Orleans)

In its first two weeks, President Donald Trump's administration has made significant changes to the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Secretary Marco Rubio Appointed as Acting Administrator for the ... (Department of State)

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has long strayed from its original mission of responsibly advancing American interests abroad ...

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Image courtesy of "WHYY"

What is USAID? Explaining the U.S. foreign aid agency and why ... (WHYY)

In its first two weeks, President Donald Trump's administration has made significant changes to the U.S. Agency for International Development.

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Image courtesy of "Credit Union Times"

WOCCU in 'Precarious Financial' Position Due to USAID Freeze (Credit Union Times)

WOCCU's leader sends letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio asking him to honor existing USAID funding obligations.

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Image courtesy of "The Associated Press"

What is USAID and why do Trump and Musk want to end it? (The Associated Press)

In its first two weeks, President Donald Trump's administration has made significant changes to the U.S. Agency for International Development.

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Image courtesy of "Tennessee Lookout"

Members of Congress refused entry to USAID agency shuttered by ... (Tennessee Lookout)

Democratic members of Congress were denied entry Monday to the U.S. Agency for International Development, after Elon Musk closed the agency.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

What is USAid and why does Trump dislike it so much? (The Guardian)

The US agency distributes tens of billions of dollars' worth of aid every year and is a key tool to promote soft power around the world.

USAID Is Being Dismantled When the World Needs It Most (Center for Global Development)

Anyone who cares about due process, US standing in the world, or global poverty should be outraged by the precipitous decision to shutter USAID.

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Image courtesy of "PBS NewsHour"

'This work needs to continue': Sen. Coons says USAID helps keep ... (PBS NewsHour)

The U.S. agency tasked with overseeing foreign aid is put on the chopping block with potential risks for national security. To discuss the fallout over ...

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Image courtesy of "Federal News Network"

USAID takeover is unconstitutional, lawmakers say (Federal News Network)

The Trump administration's move to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development is illegal and unconstitutional, a group of House and Senate ...

Risch on USAID Reorganization Under the State Department ... (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the statement below regarding the...

USAID in Crisis: A Global Catastrophe Unfolding (Infection Control Today)

The sudden suspension of USAID funding is triggering a worldwide humanitarian emergency, threatening health systems, economic stability, and global ...

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Image courtesy of "ABS-CBN.COM"

USAID freeze calls into question billions in support for poorest ... (ABS-CBN.COM)

The Trump administration's attempt to fold the USAID humanitarian agency into the State Department calls into question the future of tens of billions of ...

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Former USAID official calls its closure an 'extinction-level event for ... (ABC News)

ABC News' Linsey Davis spoke to Jeremy Konyndyk, president of Refugees International and a former lead official at USAID, about efforts to shutter the ...

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Gutting of USAID could cost thousands of American jobs (CNN)

The Trump administration's freeze of foreign aid and dismantling of the agency that oversees it is putting at risk thousands of jobs in the US and abroad, ...

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

USAID contractors fire staff, face cash crunch as Trump causes ... (Reuters)

Trump's overhaul of U.S. foreign assistance has led to chaos in the aid and development field, leaving hundreds of contractors in a severe financial crunch ...

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Image courtesy of "CNN International"

Rubio says he's acting director of USAID as humanitarian agency is ... (CNN International)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Monday that he is acting administrator the US Agency for International Development, confirming the de-facto ...

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Image courtesy of "BusinessWorld Online"

Elon Musk targets closure of USAID - BusinessWorld Online (BusinessWorld Online)

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration said it would lock US Agency for International Development (USAID) workers out of their headquarters in downtown ...

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