Billionaire Elon Musk caused controversy when he called the US aid agency USAID a “criminal organization”, accusing the organization of funding biological weapons research that 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed millions of people.
Billionaire Musk sparked controversy by accusing USAID without providing any evidence –
On February 2, billionaire Elon Musk caused a huge controversy on social media when he called the US Agency for International Development (USAID) a “criminal organization”, raising concerns about President Donald Trump ‘s unprecedented level of oversight of the US administrative apparatus.
” USAID is a criminal organization,” the Tesla boss commented below the video accusing USAID of being involved in “CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) covert operations” and “Internet censorship”.
Not stopping there, Mr. Musk continued to “add fuel to the fire” when he asked his 215 million followers on social network X: “Do you know that USAID used YOUR own money to fund biological weapons research, including COVID-19, 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ing millions of people?”, without providing any evidence.
According to AFP, Mr. Musk’s attack on USAID – the agency responsible for providing humanitarian aid to other countries around the world, helping them improve their economies, societies, and environments – marks a new escalation in President Trump’s efforts to give the billionaire unprecedented power to reform government agencies and cut spending that they consider wasteful.
Since Trump returned to the White House, Musk has repeatedly made controversial moves, such as speaking to far-right groups in Europe, making a hand gesture reminiscent of a Nazi salute, and criticizing the Treasury Department for making authorized payments on behalf of the government.
In just his first few days in office, Mr. Trump shocked the world by announcing a freeze on all foreign aid for three months.
Although he later authorized the continuation of food and humanitarian aid, USAID’s future as an independent agency remains uncertain, according to aid organizations.
A senior official at the US-based organisation fears that prioritising “emergency” aid could be the first step in a wider plan to completely cut off other sources of funding from Washington.
USAID is an independent agency established by an act of the US Congress, currently managing a budget of $42.8 billion for humanitarian and development assistance worldwide.
On January 28, dozens of USAID officials were suddenly sent an email placing them on paid leave without any explanation.
Recently, CNN reported that two senior security officials of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) were forced to take leave after preventing employees from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – under the management of billionaire Elon Musk – from accessing confidential documents during the government’s audit process.
USAID’s X account has now been disabled, and the agency’s website is still down.
