Elon Musk Claims Trump Supports Shutting Down USAID Amid Speculation Over Agency's Future

Elon Musk stated that President Donald Trump concurs with the idea of shutting down the US Agency for International Development (USAID) following a freeze on its funding and a significant number of its employees being placed on leave.

"With regards to the USAID stuff, I went over it with (the president) in detail and he agreed that we should shut it down," Musk noted in a conversation on X Spaces early Monday.

Musk explained that he consulted with Trump multiple times, with Trump affirming his desire to close the agency that allocates billions in humanitarian aid and development funding each year. CNN has attempted to contact the White House and USAID for their comments.

On Sunday evening, before the X Spaces dialogue, Trump commented on USAID, asserting, "It's been run by a bunch of radical lunatics, and we're getting them out, and then we'll make a decision" regarding its future.

These remarks followed the administrative leave of two top security officials at USAID who reportedly denied members of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to the agency's systems, despite threats of law enforcement intervention, as multiple sources informed CNN.

Approximately 60 senior USAID staff faced leave last week over allegations of bypassing Trump's executive order halting foreign aid for 90 days. Another official was also put on leave for trying to revert this action after finding no evidence of misconduct.

During Monday's X Spaces conversation, co-hosted by Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa and Vivek Ramaswamy, Musk criticized USAID as "incredibly politically partisan," claiming it has been endorsing "radically left causes" globally, which he described as "anti-American."

Musk insisted that USAID is "beyond repair" and expressed strong discontent regarding the agency established by Congress as an independent entity.

"We don't have an apple with a worm in it," he stated. "We have a ball of worms. USAID is a ball of worms."

Established in 1961 under President John F. Kennedy, USAID serves as the US government's humanitarian division, distributing billions yearly to alleviate poverty, treat diseases, and respond to famines and natural disasters. Additionally, it supports democracy and development initiatives through non-government organizations, independent media, and social programs.

Officials describe USAID as a crucial instrument of US soft power aimed at enhancing relationships with global communities, linking US national security with the "three D" pillars: defense, diplomacy, and development.

Under reports, DOGE personnel attempted to physically access USAID's Washington, DC headquarters but were denied entry. Sources state that DOGE staff demanded access and threatened to involve US Marshals.

The DOGE agents aimed to obtain USAID security systems and personnel files, with claims from two sources suggesting access to classified information, restricted to those with necessary clearances.

Ultimately, sources report that DOGE staff successfully accessed USAID headquarters.

This incident highlights escalating tension between Trump-affiliated DOGE and federal agencies as it seeks to establish greater control and reduce spending.

Democratic members of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee have requested an immediate update regarding the access to USAID's headquarters, specifically questioning the authorization of the individuals involved.

The letter expressed concerns that unauthorized access to sensitive or classified files may compromise the personal information of Americans working with USAID and signifies greater issues regarding national security safeguarding.

Senators highlighted that any plans to merge USAID into the Department of State should be reviewed and approved by Congress, as mandated by law.

Katie Miller, appointed to DOGE by Trump in December, acknowledged on Sunday that DOGE personnel had some level of access to classified information but insisted, "No classified material was accessed without proper security clearances."

Musk further criticized USAID on Sunday, calling it a "criminal organization" and claiming, "Time for it to die." His comments follow similar accusations from other top Trump officials who allege USAID workers mainly lean Democrat.

On Saturday, USAID's website was taken offline, and a new page was established on the State Department's website. Reports indicate that the entire USAID public affairs team was put on leave and locked out of their systems.

Recently, Trump issued an executive order halting all foreign aid for 90 days, leading to confusion, layoffs, and the suspension of various programs.

USAID's Director of Security John Voorhees and his deputy are among numerous officials who have been placed on leave, reflecting fears of the agency being deliberately dismantled, a move that could potentially harm international aid efforts.

Aid officials argue that the State Department lacks the capacity and expertise to take on USAID's complex projects and that merging the two would detract from vital soft power assets essential for US foreign policy.

A former senior USAID official explained that the agency's unique abilities allow it to engage effectively in international contexts, stating, "That ability to work in that way...gets lost. And with it, I think we lose an enormous, incredibly valuable tool of US foreign policy."