What The Hell is USAID?
Segment # 345
Most Americans think foreign aid when they hear USAID, but that is totally misleading. The name is more like a Kamala Harris word salad as it stands for United States Agency for International Development. Huh?
This probably will not make you feel any better, but in the government’s words:
Core Mission
USAID's primary mission is to partner with others to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies while advancing U.S. security and prosperity3. This mission encompasses two main goals:
Ending extreme poverty: USAID works to enable inclusive, sustainable growth and create social safety nets that reach the poorest and most vulnerable populations.
Promoting resilient, democratic societies: The agency strives to foster free, peaceful, and self-reliant societies with effective, legitimate governments.
Key Objectives
To achieve its mission, USAID focuses on several critical areas:
Humanitarian assistance: Providing timely and effective relief in response to disasters and complex crises7.
Global health: Implementing activities that save lives and protect Americans both at home and abroad2.
Global stability: Advancing democracy, good governance, and sustainable development to promote economic growth and peace2.
Innovation and partnership: Identifying new ways to engage with the private sector and catalyze development results2.
Empowering women and girls: Supporting women's equal access to opportunities and implementing policies that protect life in global health assistance2.
Broader Impact
USAID's work extends beyond its immediate objectives, contributing to:
U.S. national interests: The agency's efforts enhance American and global security and prosperity by reducing destitution, strengthening trading partners, and promoting democratic values3.
International development leadership: As the U.S. government's lead international development and humanitarian assistance agency, USAID helps societies realize their potential through partnerships and investments2.
Global cooperation: USAID collaborates with other U.S. government agencies, multilateral and bilateral organizations, private companies, academic institutions, faith-based groups, and non-governmental organizations to achieve its goals2.
By focusing on these objectives, USAID aims to address current challenges while mitigating future risks, ultimately working towards a more stable, prosperous, and democratic world. Blah blah blah
Here’s what Elon Musk and DOGE has learned they actually are doing.
This is just the beginning….
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk under the Trump administration, has reportedly uncovered several contentious issues related to USAID funding:
Waste, Fraud, and Corruption: Posts on X suggest that DOGE has found USAID to be involved in significant waste, fraud, and corruption, with some users claiming that USAID funding is "almost entirely" corrupt.
Funding Misallocation: There are allegations from posts on X that a significant portion of USAID funding, specifically 60%, has been diverted to "foreign elites for salaries & rent" rather than aiding the intended beneficiaries such as the poor in recipient countries.
Support for Political Activities: It's claimed that USAID funds have been used to sponsor activities that might undermine elected governments in foreign countries. This includes funding for NGOs, media, and opposition groups, effectively positioning USAID as an agency that checks or opposes elected powers for political gain.
Secret Illegal Funding: There's mention in social media posts of DOGE uncovering a "secret illegal funding source" used by the CIA through USAID, supposedly for disrupting global stability, though no detailed evidence or official reports corroborate this claim.
Specific Misallocations: Reports and posts mention specific instances like $1.5 million for advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Serbia's workplaces, $70,000 for a DEI musical in Ireland, and a $50 million project for "condoms in Gaza" which was allegedly misused, with some funds potentially ending up with Hamas rather than for humanitarian purposes.
Undisclosed Awards: There's a mention of $1.2 billion in 'undisclosed' USAID awards, hinting at a lack of transparency in how funds are allocated or used.
Specifically…
DOGE's scrutiny of USAID has uncovered several expenditures that the Trump administration and Elon Musk's team consider questionable or wasteful. According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, some of the "insane priorities" that USAID has been spending money on include:
$1.5 million to "advance DEI in Serbia's workplaces"6
$70,000 for the production of a DEI musical in Ireland6
$47,000 on a "transgender opera" in Colombia6
$32,000 for a "transgender comic book" in Peru6
Additionally, DOGE reportedly discovered and halted two significant outgoing payments:
Elon Musk suggested that a substantial portion of the money intended for condoms in Gaza might have ended up in the hands of Hamas instead6. These findings have been presented by the Trump administration as examples of wasteful spending and mismanagement of taxpayer dollars by USAID.
USAID is stealing from the American taxpayer and the thieves are freaking out that they will be exposed.