Elon Musk on USAID: ‘It’s time to shut it down’
Elon Musk Calls for USAID’s Demise as Trump Administration Moves to Overhaul Agency
Tech mogul and Trump ally Elon Musk declared Sunday that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) should be shut down, signaling a potential overhaul or elimination of the 64-year-old institution under the Trump administration.
“USAID is a criminal organization,” Musk posted on X, adding, “Time for it to die.”
The agency has faced upheaval over the weekend amid reports that it could be folded into the State Department. Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) told CBS that USAID would likely be placed under Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s oversight to improve “command and control” of U.S. development funding. Critics argue that only 10-30% of USAID’s budget actually reaches aid recipients—figures contested by experts.
Further fueling speculation, USAID’s main X account was deleted Saturday, its website went offline, and dozens of officials were placed on leave. By Sunday evening, many employees reported losing access to their official emails, raising concerns about broader staffing changes.
Trump himself weighed in, describing USAID as being run by “radical lunatics” and suggesting that personnel changes were underway as his administration determined the agency’s future.
Musk’s comments followed reports that two senior USAID officials attempted to block members of DOGE—a government efficiency task force led by Musk—from accessing agency computer systems Saturday night. Democratic lawmakers allege that some DOGE staffers gained access to classified information without proper clearance, prompting bipartisan concerns over national security risks.
According to Senate staffers, DOGE representatives attempted to enter secured USAID offices, warning security personnel they would call U.S. Marshals if denied access. They ultimately gained entry to key areas, including the Office of Security and the Executive Secretariat. The two USAID security officials who initially resisted were later placed on administrative leave, along with many others.
The growing turmoil has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, who argue that dismantling USAID would weaken U.S. foreign policy and cede influence to rivals like China. Some Republicans, including Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.), have also urged caution, advocating for measured reforms rather than abrupt changes.
While any major restructuring of USAID would likely require congressional approval, Trump could move forward unilaterally, further complicating legal and political questions.
Founded by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, USAID has long operated with structural autonomy under the guidance of the State Department. Under former President Joe Biden, USAID Administrator Samantha Power even held a seat on the National Security Council.
Now, as the Trump administration considers its next move, the future of USAID remains uncertain.
