Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) chief Elon Musk has revealed that President Donald Trump has “agreed” to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Musk revealed early Monday that he had spoken with the president about the issues he found with USAID.
According to Musk, Trump confirmed that his administration is “shutting it down.”
Musk’s remarks were made during an X Spaces stream that began at midnight EST.
He held an online discussion to share updates on the work of the DOGE with the public.
The X boss said he checked with Trump a few times about shuttering USAID and asked “Are you sure?”
Trump confirmed and said, “so we’re shutting it down.”
Musk also revealed that his team’s investigations into USAID found that the work of the agency is “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.”
He noted that USAID is “beyond repair” and the only solution is “to basically get rid of the whole thing.”
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) was also on the stream with Musk.
Ernst said if there are “truly good pro-American programs” that were under the USAID’s ambit, they should be moved under the State Department.
The senator argues that the State Department would ensure those programs “have proper oversight.”
Earlier on Sunday evening, Trump was asked by reporters about the state of USAID.
“Well it’s been run by a bunch of radical lunatics, and we’re getting them out…and then we’ll make a decision,” the president responded.
Did you know that USAID, using YOUR tax dollars, funded bioweapon research, including COVID-19, that killed millions of people? https://t.co/YVwyKA7ifs
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 2, 2025
Two senior USAID security officials reportedly stopped investigators serving with DOGE, which Musk leads, while they were trying to access materials at the aid agency’s office.
USAID accused DOGE officials of trying to access classified information.
According to CNN, the two USAID officials were placed on administrative leave on Saturday.
The DOGE operatives were ultimately given access to all the materials they needed to review, including any classified materials they may be required to view.
Musk responded to CNN’s report by calling USAID a “criminal organization.”
He told the far-left outlet that it is now “time for [USAID] to die.”
USAID is a criminal organization.
Time for it to die. https://t.co/sWYy6fyt1k
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 2, 2025
Amid the escalating controversy, the USAID website went offline on Saturday afternoon.
It comes as the Trump administration moves to bring the taxpayer-funded aid agency under the direct control of the State Department.
Trump’s recent actions—including an order to freeze most foreign aid—have triggered uncertainty about the agency’s future over the past week.
Staffers were reportedly already fearing an impending shutdown.
NBC News reported that the agency’s signs were removed from its Washington, D.C., offices on Friday.
Meanwhile, several foreign aid groups have been panicking that their endless stream of U.S. tax dollars is now being cut off.
Globalist groups are warning that shutting down USAID and halting U.S. foreign aid may have a “catastrophic humanitarian impact” across the world.
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