Musk says he is working to shut down “beyond repair” USAID

[NotJoeBiden]

True for the time being.

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The MAGA Revolution/Renaissance is being televised!

You realize that “the revolution will not be televised” song you are calling back to is completely antithetical to what Trump is doing. One might say that is why it is televised… Maybe mull on that a little.

https://youtu.be/QnJFhuOWgXg?feature=shared

[LevelUP]

True for the time being.

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The MAGA Revolution/Renaissance is being televised!

You realize that “the revolution will not be televised” song you are calling back to is completely antithetical to what Trump is doing. One might say that is why it is televised… Maybe mull on that a little.

https://youtu.be/QnJFhuOWgXg?feature=shared

Nice catch on the Easter egg. You just scored some extra cred points!

[LevelUP]

Trump admin slashes USAID’s 10,000-people workforce to 294
https://nypost.com/2025/02/07/us-news/tr...f-reports/

More government USAID waste reported
$20 million to create a Sesame Street in Iraq.
Millions of dollars to farmers in Afghanistan to grow poppies.
$2 million to fund "Moroccan pottery classes and promotion.
$2 million promoting tourism to Lebanon.
$1 million for gain-of-function virus research in a Wuhan lab.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/sesame-street...15069.html

$16 million per year government agencies spent on Politico subscriptions
https://fortune.com/2025/02/07/politico-...criptions/

USAID and other government agencies were paying over $268 million to so-called "independent" news agencies which will be cut. 
https://rsf.org/en/usa-trump-s-foreign-a...orld-chaos

It took big balls to find the wasted spending in government.

[Duneranger]

USAID was literally a NGO slush fund to push propaganda. I am happy it's dead. The shenanigans coming out are eye-opening.

At baseline we should be spending money at home and not funding DEI BS in f-ing Serbia.

https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/press-r...nt-grants/

[freeloader]

USAID was literally a NGO slush fund to push propaganda.

That’s exactly what it is. And the heart of that propaganda is that the United States, despite being a globally bully who destabilizes regimes it doesn’t like, rapes and pillages the natural resources of foreign countries, drains the best minds from foreign nations, and bombs countries if they look at us cross eyed is, despite all that, a good place filled with decent people. The kind of place you should ally with rather than taking money from China. 

And that is what has been/is being destroyed. 

Belt and Road 2.0; the world is ready for it!

[ashkir]

I spent time in the developing world. This is a loss that is going to directly threaten the security of first-world nations.

[ifomonay]

USAID was literally a NGO slush fund to push propaganda.

That’s exactly what it is. And the heart of that propaganda is that the United States, despite being a globally bully who destabilizes regimes it doesn’t like, rapes and pillages the natural resources of foreign countries, drains the best minds from foreign nations, and bombs countries if they look at us cross eyed is, despite all that, a good place filled with decent people. The kind of place you should ally with rather than taking money from China. 

And that is what has been/is being destroyed. 

Belt and Road 2.0; the world is ready for it!

I didn't understand who you guys are saying is pushing this propaganda about the US. Russia? China? But they will say anything to cover up their own human rights issues. No one believes the Russian and Chinese propaganda machine. Not even their own people. lol.

EDIT: Okay I just re-read your post. It seems like the propaganda came from China. But China's logic is wrong. Yes, the British caused a lot harm and destruction to China in the 18th and 19th century, and they took Hong Kong, etc. But China can't lump the US and Britain together. The US had nothing to do with that.

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I spent time in the developing world. This is a loss that is going to directly threaten the security of first-world nations.

How? The US gave a lot of money to developing countries over many, many decades. We stop giving aid for for a couple years, and now they'll turn on us? Thanks a lot. Here's another thing to consider. The European colonial powers went around the globe, Africa, Latin America, Asia, and totally destroyed those cultures. The US spent decades helping rebuild all these countries around the world. This isn't even our mess. Someone else created this mess, and we're spending money to clean it up.

[NotJoeBiden]

Sounds like USAID was burning cash on some wild projects instead of actual aid. If Musk is serious about shutting it down, it’s going to rattle a lot of people, especially those who benefited from these questionable expenses. The fact that their website and X account got nuked so fast raises eyebrows—like they’re scrambling to cover tracks. Whether USAID was a slush fund or not, it’s clear taxpayers weren’t seeing much return on investment. Democrats will fight this, but if corruption is real, shutting it down might be the right move. Let’s see if this sticks or gets buried.

Judge orders reinstatement of USAID functions, says DOGE effort to shutter agency likely unconstitutional

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/judge-o...tional.amp

Great job by Elon. In an attempt to dismantle USAID using unconstitutional means he ended up costing the government more money in rehiring the fired federal workers and providing backpay to them. Bravo. Regardless with how you feel about USAID, the level of incompetence and malice here cannot be understated.

[Vle045]

I spent time in the developing world. This is a loss that is going to directly threaten the security of first-world nations.

Yes, I’d agree with that perspective. Cutting these programs could absolutely threaten the security of first-world nations, including the U.S., for several reasons:

• Increased Instability Breeds Extremism: When aid is reduced, poverty and instability often rise. This creates fertile ground for extremist groups to recruit, ultimately increasing security threats that can reach first-world nations.
  
• Weakened Influence Over Global Affairs: With less investment in international development, the U.S. loses soft power influence, allowing rival nations (e.g., China, Russia) to fill the void with their own economic and ideological influence.
  
• Less Intelligence and Cooperation: Many of these programs foster relationships with foreign governments and NGOs, creating valuable intelligence-sharing networks. Cutting them could reduce cooperation on counterterrorism and security efforts.
  
• Economic Consequences: Developing nations often become emerging markets. Reducing support now could limit future trade opportunities, impacting first-world economies.
  

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Trump admin slashes USAID’s 10,000-people workforce to 294
https://nypost.com/2025/02/07/us-news/tr...f-reports/

More government USAID waste reported
$20 million to create a Sesame Street in Iraq.
Millions of dollars to farmers in Afghanistan to grow poppies.
$2 million to fund "Moroccan pottery classes and promotion.
$2 million promoting tourism to Lebanon.
$1 million for gain-of-function virus research in a Wuhan lab.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/sesame-street...15069.html

$16 million per year government agencies spent on Politico subscriptions
https://fortune.com/2025/02/07/politico-...criptions/

USAID and other government agencies were paying over $268 million to so-called "independent" news agencies which will be cut. 
https://rsf.org/en/usa-trump-s-foreign-a...orld-chaos

It took big balls to find the wasted spending in government.

This is a short-sighted view. Cutting these programs might seem like an easy way to save money, but it overlooks the long-term strategic benefits of global engagement. 

By pulling back, the U.S. risks:

• Losing influence in key regions, allowing rivals like China and Russia to expand their foothold.
  
• Weakening alliances with countries that rely on U.S. support for stability and development.
  
• Hurting its own economy by reducing trade opportunities and global partnerships.
  

Global involvement, even through seemingly small or unconventional programs, often pays off in stability, diplomacy, and influence—all of which directly impact America’s security and prosperity. Isolating from the global economy and relations could ultimately undermine U.S. leadership on the world stage.

Let’s look at each of these…

1. $20 Million for 'Sesame Street' in Iraq
Potential Benefits:

• Promotes Stability Through Education: Ahlan Simsim provides early childhood education to children affected by conflict, promoting long-term stability.
  
• Soft Power Diplomacy: Enhances the U.S.'s image abroad, fostering goodwill and influencing future generations positively.
  
• Humanitarian Investment: Demonstrates U.S. commitment to humanitarian values, strengthening international partnerships.
  

Potential Consequences of Cutting It:

• Lost Educational Support: Thousands of displaced children would lose access to quality early education, making them more vulnerable to radicalization.
  
• Increased Instability: Lack of education can lead to disillusionment and future instability.
  
• Weakened U.S. Influence: Reduces America’s cultural diplomacy, allowing rivals (e.g., China, Russia) to fill the gap.
  

2. $2 Million for Moroccan Pottery Classes
Potential Benefits:

• Economic Development: Boosts local economies by teaching artisanal skills, creating sustainable income for marginalized communities.
  
• Cultural Diplomacy: Strengthens diplomatic and trade relationships by promoting cultural appreciation and exchange.
  

Potential Consequences of Cutting It:

• Economic Setback: Reduces job opportunities and increases poverty, creating an environment for instability.
  
• Missed Trade Opportunities: Eliminates a potential gateway for U.S. artisans and businesses to engage in cultural trade.
  
• Strained Diplomatic Relations: Morocco is a key ally; cutting funding could strain ties.
  

3. $2 Million Promoting Tourism to Lebanon
Potential Benefits:

• Economic Growth: Boosts Lebanon’s struggling economy, creating jobs and reducing poverty.
  
• Countering Extremism: A stronger economy reduces the likelihood of citizens turning to extremist groups out of financial desperation.
  
• Regional Influence: Strengthens U.S. ties with Lebanon, a key player in a geopolitically significant region.
  

Potential Consequences of Cutting It:

• Economic Decline: Lebanon’s already fragile economy could suffer, increasing instability.
  
• Reduced U.S. Influence: Other powers, such as Iran or China, could fill the void, expanding their regional influence.
  
• Weakened Counterterrorism Efforts: Economic hardship often fuels extremist recruitment.
  

4. $1 Million for Virus Research in Wuhan
Potential Benefits:

• Global Health Security: Supports international collaboration on virus research, helping prevent or mitigate future pandemics.
  
• Preparedness for Biothreats: Enables the U.S. to monitor and collaborate on potential global health threats.
  
• Scientific Oversight: U.S. funding gives it a seat at the table, promoting transparency and accountability.
  

Potential Consequences of Cutting It:

• Decreased Health Security: Reduces collaboration on identifying and containing future outbreaks.
  
• Weakened Oversight: The U.S. would lose influence over foreign lab practices, potentially increasing risks of unsafe research.
  
• Reduced Scientific Collaboration: Less access to critical virology data could delay pandemic response efforts.
  

5. $16 Million per Year on Politico Subscriptions
Potential Benefits:

• Access to Reliable Information: Government agencies rely on real-time news and policy insights to make informed decisions.
  
• Improved Decision-Making: Up-to-date coverage ensures better policy responses and strategic planning.
  
• Cost Efficiency: Although $16 million seems significant, it could be cheaper than conducting independent research.
  

Potential Consequences of Cutting It:

• Reduced Access to Information: Agencies could miss key policy insights, relying on less reliable or outdated sources.
  
• Increased Mistakes or Delays: Lack of timely information could lead to costly errors in policy and operations.
  
• Potential Long-Term Costs: Missing out on critical coverage could result in poorly informed decisions with larger financial consequences.
  

6. $268 Million to 'Independent' News Agencies
Potential Benefits:

• Promotes Press Freedom: Supports independent journalism in regions where press freedom is under threat.
  
• Combats Disinformation: Helps counter propaganda from authoritarian regimes, promoting factual reporting.
  
• Enhances U.S. Influence: Strengthens America’s reputation as a defender of democracy and free speech.
  

Potential Consequences of Cutting It:

• Weakened Press Freedom: Reduces support for credible journalism in countries with limited free speech.
  
• Increased Disinformation: Regions could become more vulnerable to propaganda from foreign adversaries.
  
• Reduced Global Influence: Weakens U.S. soft power, making it harder to influence public opinion abroad.
  

Key Takeaways:
While cutting these programs may seem like a cost-saving measure, it could have unintended consequences, including:

• Weakened U.S. influence in geopolitically significant regions.
  
• Reduced global stability as poverty and extremism rise in fragile areas.
  
• Weakened global health security by limiting research collaboration.
  
• Less access to timely information, potentially harming policy decisions.
  
• Increased vulnerability to disinformation, reducing America’s ability to promote democratic values.
  

These programs, often dismissed as wasteful, actually serve broader strategic, economic, and diplomatic interests that benefit the U.S. in the long run. It's understandable if the general public doesn't fully grasp their value, and it’s clear that figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump may not either. However, that doesn’t mean these initiatives should be cut. Instead of eliminating things they don’t understand, perhaps they should take the time to learn about the purpose and impact of these programs. Imagine if they came into your workplace and decided to eliminate your job simply because they didn’t understand what you do. Then, they tell the world that your work was meaningless, wasteful, and fraudulent. Does that make it true? Of course not. The same logic applies here: cutting these programs based on misunderstandings or lack of knowledge risks undermining vital global engagement that serves America’s long-term interests.

[LevelUP]

Judge orders reinstatement of USAID functions, says DOGE effort to shutter agency likely unconstitutional

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/judge-o...tional.amp

The Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 grants the executive branch the authority to restructure USAID. 

Judges may be disregarded if their rulings are deemed invalid. After all, Democrats had no objection to Biden ignoring judges’ rulings.
https://x.com/EndWokeness/status/1889337281518969102