Elon Musk (Flickr)
Viral news: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been abruptly shut down, marking an unprecedented move by President Donald Trump, who labeled the organization “corrupt.” Established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, USAID has long been a cornerstone of America’s international humanitarian and development efforts. However, Trump’s administration, under the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk, is working to dissolve the agency and merge its operations into the State Department. In a sweeping action, dozens of officials have been placed on leave, and thousands of contractors have been laid off. Additionally, all US-funded aid programs have been halted for a 90-day review, leaving millions of vulnerable people worldwide without crucial assistance.
President Trump defended his decision by branding USAID as “run by a bunch of radical lunatics.” Echoing Trump’s sentiments, DOGE chief Elon Musk went a step further, calling the agency a “criminal organization.” The move to defund USAID aligns with Trump’s broader push to reduce foreign aid spending and prioritize domestic interests. “To be very explicit about what is being turned off, the sort of things that are being stopped, are programs that support 20 million people on lifesaving HIV treatment right now,” said Jeremy Konyndyk, a former USAID official and current president of Refugees International. He warned that the shutdown poses a significant risk to global health.
As expected, social media exploded with reactions to the shutdown. One post that caught widespread attention came from Indian-origin Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas. Taking a jab at the situation, Srinivas wrote on X: "Considering raising $500B from USAID. Funding secured. Stop me if you can, Elon Musk."
Considering raising $500B from USAID. Funding secured. Stop me if you can @elonmusk
— Aravind Srinivas (@AravSrinivas) February 5, 2025
His tongue-in-cheek comment was met with a divided response. Some users found it amusing, while others criticized him. “Dude, you’re funny,” one commenter wrote. “When you’re desperate to be relevant,” another user sniped. A more aggressive response read, “Go ahead, we’re shutting it down, you piece of s**t!”
With USAID programs on indefinite hold, millions who rely on US-funded initiatives for healthcare, disaster relief, and poverty alleviation face an uncertain future. The 90-day review will determine whether the agency will be permanently dismantled or restructured under the State Department. As the Trump administration pushes its “America First” agenda, the question remains: Will this move strengthen national interests or create a global humanitarian crisis?
Copyright © 2025 Top Indian News
