There has been a lot of buzz lately about USAID and Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s efforts to defund and gut this agency. Congress passed the Foreign Assistance Act, and President John F. Kennedy established USAID as an independent agency in 1961. It was created during the height of the United States Cold War with the Soviet Union. Kennedy’s vision for this entity was to find a more efficient way to counter Soviet influence overseas through foreign assistance. He believed that the State Department was too bureaucratic to accomplish this.
So, what does USAID fund, and why did Musk allege that its funding had been used to launch deadly programs and call it a “criminal organization”? Let’s examine why this agency was formed and the work it has accomplished and debunk some myths about it.
Origins of U.S.A.I.D
In establishing USAID, President Kennedy wanted to separate military and non-military assistance and revamp how the U.S. distributed foreign aid. He argued that the U.S., as the wealthiest country on Earth, had a moral and financial obligation to provide foreign aid. It was also politically advantageous to the U.S. to fund projects in poorer countries, he said, to try to prevent the collapse of “existing political and social structures which would inevitably invite the advance of totalitarianism.”
At its core, USAID provides humanitarian assistance during global conflicts and other emergencies. The funds from the agency promote public health, improve education, and protect human rights. In turn, it works to further U.S. interests abroad.
It delivers billions of dollars in humanitarian aid worldwide and is a lifeline to over 100 countries. Over the years, it has funded efforts like conservation efforts in the Brazilian Rainforest and assisted with Aids relief in Africa that has been credited with saving 25 million lives. In Eastern Congo, which has been beset with years of conflict, it keeps 4.6 million people alive, giving them access to food, water, electricity, and healthcare.
In Sudan, which has experienced a two-year civil war, it is responsible for preventing the spread of cholera, malaria, and measles to 600,000 people. With its aid programs frozen, all these countries and those dependent on these funds face an uncertain future.
USAID provided assistance to about 130 countries in fiscal year 2023. The top 10 recipients were:
- Ukraine
- Ethiopia
- Jordan
- Congo
- Somalia
- Yemen
- Afghanistan
- Nigeria
- South Sudan
- Syria
Criticism of the Agency
Republicans usually press the State Department, which provides overall guidance to USAID, to exercise more control over its policy and funds. Democrats usually desire it to remain independent and somewhat autonomous. Funds allocated for United Nations agencies, including peacekeeping, human rights, and refugee agencies, have been familiar targets for Republican administrations to cut. The first Trump administration tried to cut funds to these agencies, including money directed to the Palestinian Authority.
But there is a human cost to all of this austerity. Funding for a project in South Africa for a research study that was testing a new device to prevent pregnancy and H.I.V. infection was halted last week. This has left thousands of people with experimental drugs and devices in their bodies with no access to monitoring or care. Scientists involved in the project now face the agonizing decision of whether to violate the stop-the-work order and continue care or do nothing and leave the volunteers to deal with the potentially harmful side effects without medical supervision.
Dispelling Myths About USAID
There is no evidence that Trump’s foreign aid freeze stopped $50 million, or is it $100 million, worth of condoms from going to Gaza. According to the State Department, the freeze stopped $100 million in funding for Gaza, including funds for contraception. However, the emergency relief group that, according to news outlets, would have received that aid told PolitiFact it did not use U.S. funding for condoms.
Trump claimed on Truth Social last week that billions of dollars had been stolen from USAID and other agencies, much of it going to fake news media like Politico to create good stories about Democrats. Trump further claimed that Politico received $8 million of these funds. However, according to public records on USAspending.gov, USAID paid $44,000 to Politico for energy and environmental news subscriptions in 2023 and 2024. The total amount paid across all government agencies for Politico’s services exceeded $8 million in the 2024 fiscal year.
Finally
There is already considerable pain felt by individuals and agencies around the world who count on USAID funds for their life-saving work. More the pity that lies and innuendos have to make the situation even worse.
