USAID absorbed into State Department as Musk and Trump target 'wasteful spending’
By isabelle // 2025-02-04
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  • USAID will be absorbed into the State Department, marking a major shift in U.S. foreign policy.
  • Trump and Musk claim USAID is a "ball of worms" and "run by radical lunatics," alleging misuse of funds and funding bioweapon research.
  • Musk and Trump argue USAID has become a tool of the Deep State and funds initiatives that go against American interests.
  • Marco Rubio, as Secretary of State, will lead the effort to ensure USAID funds align with U.S. national interests.
  • The move aims to cut wasteful spending and restore integrity to foreign aid, with increased scrutiny and oversight.
The Trump administration announced on Sunday that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will be absorbed into the State Department in a sweeping move that marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy. The decision, spearheaded by Trump and Elon Musk, is part of a broader effort to cut what they describe as wasteful and counterproductive spending. The move has been telegraphed over the past few days and comes as part of the "DOGE" initiative, a government efficiency program led by Musk. Musk, who has been given unprecedented access to federal agencies, described USAID as a "criminal organization" during a live X Spaces session, stating, "As we dug into USAID it became apparent that what we have here is not an apple with a worm in it, but we have actually just a ball of worms. If you have an apple with a worm in it, you can take the worm out. If you have a whole ball of worms, it's hopeless. USAID is a ball of worms. There is no apple. And when there is no apple you just need to get rid of the whole thing. That's why it's got to go. It's beyond repair." President Trump echoed Musk’s sentiments, calling USAID "run by radical lunatics" and insisting that the agency's leaders are being removed.

The case against USAID

The Trump administration and Musk argue that USAID has lost its way, becoming a tool for the so-called "Deep State" and funding initiatives that go against American interests. According to Musk, a significant portion of USAID's budget—approximately $40 billion in the 2023 fiscal year—has been misused. He claims that much of the money is funneled into opposition groups, NGOs with political agendas, and destabilizing movements, rather than directly helping people in need. Elon Musk’s comments were not just rhetoric. During his X Spaces session, he alleged that USAID had been involved in funding bioweapon research, including the development of COVID-19, which has killed millions of people. These claims highlight the administration's deep mistrust of the agency.

A new era under Marco Rubio

As USAID is integrated into the State Department, Marco Rubio, the current Secretary of State, will take a leading role in ensuring that the agency's funds are used more judiciously. Rubio, who has long been critical of USAID, has described the agency as "completely unresponsive" and accused it of insubordination. He emphasized that USAID must align its activities with U.S. national interests and policy directives from the State Department, the National Security Council, and the president. Rubio's frustration with USAID is not new. During his confirmation hearing, he stated, "Every dollar that we spend and every program that we fund will be aligned with the national interests of the United States." He added, "USAID has a history of sort of ignoring that and deciding that they’re somehow a global charity separate from the national interest." The integration of USAID into the State Department is expected to bring increased scrutiny and oversight to the agency's grant distribution. Rubio has made it clear that he will not tolerate the insubordination and lack of transparency that has characterized USAID in the past. The absorption of USAID into the State Department represents a historic shift in America's approach to foreign aid. By cutting what they see as wasteful spending and aligning aid with U.S. national interests, the Trump administration and Musk aim to restore integrity and effectiveness to a program that has long been criticized for its inefficiencies and potential misuse. As the new structure takes shape, the focus will be on ensuring that every dollar spent abroad furthers America's goals and genuinely aids those in need. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com Breitbart.com FoxNews.com Breitbart.com
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