USAID: From inciting hatred to financing protests US Media on Samantha Power’s “Nest of Serpents”

Before resuming office, Donald Trump tasked Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with scrutinizing federal spending. Their latest efforts have brought them into direct conflict with the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which is now facing potential elimination.

The controversy erupted on February 1, when USAID’s official X account was deleted, followed by reports that "dozens" of employees had been furloughed, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

With little initial clarification, CNN and the Associated Press reported that the agency was in direct conflict with DOGE.

According to the Associated Press, the dispute arose when some senior USAID officials attempted to block DOGE personnel from accessing agency networks to verify certain records. The Trump administration responded by placing the officials on leave. “Members of the Musk Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, finally gained access on February 1, to the aid agency’s classified information, which includes intelligence reports,” the Associated Press stated.

Elon Musk himself weighed in on the future of USAID, making his stance abundantly clear. The billionaire posted on X, branding the agency a “criminal organization” and declaring, “It’s time for it to die.”

“Did you know that USAID, using YOUR tax dollars, funded bioweapon research, including COVID-19, that killed millions of people? (…) USAID was a viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America,” Musk claimed.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering restructuring USAID. Politico initially reported that a merger with the State Department, currently led by Marco Rubio, was under serious consideration. Congressman Brian Mast, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told CBS that the agency was likely to be “more closely led by the Secretary of State.” He stated the objective was to ensure “proper command and control” over such agencies. According to Mast, only between 10% and 30% of USAID’s funds “actually” reach foreign aid initiatives.

Senator Rand Paul also weighed in, calling for the outright dissolution of the agency. “Abolish USAID and all foreign aid,” he posted on X.

International criticism has also surfaced. El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, sharply condemned USAID’s operations, claiming that most governments do not want its funds due to concerns over their actual use.

“Most governments don’t want USAID funds flowing into their countries because they understand where much of that money actually ends up. While marketed as support for development, democracy, and human rights, the majority of these funds are funnelled into opposition groups, NGOs with political agendas, and destabilizing movements,” Bukele stated on X.

“At best, maybe 10% of the money reaches real projects that help people in need (there are such cases), but the rest is used to fuel dissent, finance protests, and undermine administrations that refuse to align with the globalist agenda. Cutting this so-called aid isn’t just beneficial for the United States; it’s also a big win for the rest of the world,” the Salvadoran leader added.

By Aghakazim Guliyev