Washington, D.C. – The Trump administration has dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), resulting in the abrupt termination of thousands of foreign aid programs and the dismissal of more than 10,000 employees worldwide.
The move, led by Elon Musk’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), marks one of the most sweeping overhauls of U.S. foreign aid in history. The cuts targeted initiatives deemed “wasteful” or “woke” by MAGA-aligned policymakers, including healthcare projects, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and media development initiatives.
Mass Layoffs and Program Closures
More than 6,000 USAID personnel stationed in missions abroad and 4,000 employees in the United States were summarily dismissed. The agency’s official websites and social media accounts were also abruptly taken down as DOGE moved to audit USAID’s financial records and spending patterns.
Critics warn that essential humanitarian programs—including efforts to combat malaria, tuberculosis, child malnutrition, and global food insecurity—are now at risk. However, supporters of the cuts argue that USAID had become an inefficient bureaucracy, funding projects that did not directly benefit American taxpayers.
Among the terminated programs were:
- A $20 million educational initiative to produce a new Sesame Street program for children in Iraq.
- A $4.5 million media campaign to counter misinformation in Kazakhstan.
- A $1.5 million LGBTQ+ advocacy project in Jamaica.
- Comprehensive transgender health clinics in India, which provided gender-affirming care and HIV treatment.
Closure of Transgender Health Clinics in India
One of the casualties of the USAID shutdown was Mitr Clinic, India’s first U.S.-funded transgender healthcare center in Hyderabad. Established in January 2021, the clinic was launched in partnership with Johns Hopkins University under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Mitr Clinic, along with two similar facilities in Maharashtra, offered general healthcare, hormone therapy guidance, gender-affirming procedures, mental health counseling, and STI/HIV treatment in a stigma-free environment. USAID had previously described the initiative as part of its efforts to support health equity and inclusivity for marginalized communities in India.
With the withdrawal of U.S. funding, the future of these clinics remains uncertain.
MAGA’s Justification: Ending “Wasteful Spending”
Proponents of the cuts argue that USAID’s annual $40 billion budget had been used to fund programs that were not aligned with American interests.
“Why are we spending taxpayer money on transgender clinics in India or LGBTQ advocacy in Jamaica while American families struggle?” said a senior DOGE official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
USAID’s presence in India had already been relatively modest, with an estimated $150 million in annual funding—less than 0.25% of the U.S. foreign aid budget. However, the abrupt dismantling of the agency marks a symbolic shift in U.S. international engagement, signaling a preference for trade partnerships over foreign aid assistance.
Social Media Battle: Doxxing, Resignations, and Outrage
The USAID shutdown has ignited a social media firestorm, with Musk’s “Nerd Force”—a team of DOGE data analysts—engaging in heated online exchanges with critics.
- Activists exposed racist and inflammatory posts from DOGE personnel, including one analyst who mocked Indian H-1B visa workers, calling them “replaceable by AI.”
- Another DOGE staffer resigned after past comments surfaced in which he advocated for the destruction of Gaza and Israel.
- Pro-Trump supporters retaliated by doxxing former USAID employees, exposing their names and affiliations online.
Musk dismissed concerns over his agency’s aggressive tactics but warned critics against “targeting his staff”, threatening legal action against those who doxxed members of his team.
Trump Announces Executive Order on Plastic Straws
Amid the ongoing controversy, former President Donald Trump made a surprising announcement Friday, declaring that he would sign an Executive Order reversing Biden-era regulations on paper straws.
“The ridiculous Biden push for paper straws, which don’t work, is OVER,” Trump wrote on social media. “BACK TO PLASTIC!”
Musk responded enthusiastically, posting:
- “Greatest President ever!”
- “I love @realDonaldTrump as much as a straight man can love another man.”
What’s Next?
The elimination of USAID represents a dramatic realignment of U.S. foreign policy, focusing on domestic priorities and cost-cutting rather than global development and humanitarian aid. While the move has been celebrated by fiscal conservatives, it has sparked concerns among diplomats and international aid organizations about the long-term consequences for global health, security, and U.S. influence abroad.
As Musk and Trump continue to reshape Washington, further agency shutdowns and policy reversals are expected in the coming months.
