Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Tesla CEO, Elon Musk has launched a scathing attack on the US Agency for International Development (USAID), labelling it a “criminal organization.”
This move is part of a broader effort by Donald Trump to give Musk unprecedented power to overhaul government departments and curb what they see as wasteful spending and overreach.
Musk’s assault on USAID, tasked with providing humanitarian relief overseas, marks a significant new front in this endeavour.
Musk’s criticism of USAID was posted on his X platform, where he replied to a video alleging the agency’s involvement in “rogue CIA work” and “internet censorship.”
He further alleged that USAID had funded bioweapon research, including Covid-19, using taxpayer dollars. However, Musk provided no evidence to support these claims, which have been linked to a Russian disinformation campaign by officials from the previous administration.
Trump echoed Musk’s sentiments, stating that USAID has “been run by a bunch of radical lunatics” and that he is considering its future. Despite the uncertainty surrounding USAID’s fate, Trump expressed support for Musk, praising him for “doing a good job” despite their disagreements.
Critics have raised concerns about the potential risks of allowing Musk to access sensitive Treasury data, including Social Security and Medicare customer payment systems.
USAID, established by an act of Congress, manages a budget of $42.8 billion for humanitarian relief and development assistance worldwide.
Musk has announced plans to provide an update on his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, which could offer insight into his efforts to reorganize government expenditure and operations.
Since Trump’s inauguration, Musk has courted controversy by addressing far-right groups in Europe and attacking the Treasury for authorized payments.
