USAid
Coverage of USAid in the Nexus archive.
- AP post on USAID cuts backfires as critics question taxpayer-funded Nepal transgender jobs
An Associated Press post about U.S. foreign aid cuts affecting transgender aid workers in Nepal sparked conservative backlash, with critics arguing the funding should be defunded. The post highlighted how job losses led to some workers turning to sex work, while critics like Rep. Brandon Gill and Jack Posobiec framed the situation as a justification for reducing USAID funding. The controversy follows Trump's review of foreign assistance programs, which caused program disruptions and staff reductions.
- AP post on USAID cuts backfires as critics question taxpayer-funded Nepal transgender jobs
An Associated Press social media post highlighted 100 LGBTQ aid workers in Nepal turning to sex work after USAID funding cuts. Critics, including Rep. Brandon Gill and Matt Walsh, argued the post justified defunding USAID, while the Trump administration paused foreign aid reviews, causing program disruptions.
- What a reporter learned covering the impact of USAID cuts on aid workers-turned-sex workers in Nepal
Associated Press reporter Kristen Gelineau documented how U.S. foreign aid cuts have led to unemployed aid workers in Nepal turning to sex work to survive. The story highlights the impact of reduced funding on local aid workers and their economic struggles.
- What to know from the AP’s report on the impact of USAID cuts on impoverished aid workers in Nepal
The United States reduced its foreign aid funding last year, resulting in over 280,000 aid workers globally losing their jobs, including in Nepal. The AP report highlights the impact of these cuts on impoverished aid workers.
- Sex work or starve: Aid workers in Nepal left jobless by USAID cuts turn to sex work to survive
Aid workers in Nepal have resorted to sex work to survive after losing jobs due to USAID funding cuts. Over 280,000 aid workers globally were jobless following the United States reducing foreign aid funding.
- Trump's team says 'no children' died from USAID cuts. Consider these 3 cases
Trump's team claims no children died from USAID funding cuts, while parents of three individuals provide accounts suggesting otherwise. Marco Rubio and Elon Musk, who supported ending USAID's funding, assert no deaths were linked to the cuts.
- Lindsey Graham left a mark on foreign aid
Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, played a key role in blocking foreign aid cuts during the first Trump administration and restoring USAID funding after Elon Musk’s DOGE effort. His bipartisan work, particularly in global health funding like PEPFAR, was highlighted by lawmakers and advocates as critical to saving lives worldwide.
- Former federal workers, lawmakers, mark a year after DOGE purge
Former federal workers and lawmakers gathered at the U.S. Capitol to commemorate one year since the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts, which displaced tens of thousands of State Department and USAID employees. Attendees criticized the abrupt job losses, arguing the reductions harmed humanitarian and health programs and failed to improve efficiency.
- The Human Cost of DOGE’s War on U.S.A.I.D.
Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and a conflict involving DOGE and U.S.A.I.D. are linked to 'public man-made death' according to the article. The piece highlights the human impact of their actions.
- New sources of development funding for Nigerian CSOs in a post-USAID world, By Judith-Ann Walker
USAID is exiting Nigeria's development and humanitarian programming by January 2025 after being the country's largest international development funder. The article discusses new funding sources for Nigerian civil society organizations in this post-USAID context.
- What will define Elon Musk’s legacy? Doge cuts to USAID Ebola programs
Experts attribute hindered response to DRC’s Ebola outbreak and significant deaths to cuts in USAID programs. Elon Musk has shifted focus to criticizing USAID, which he previously dismantled, amid SpaceX stock drops and Tesla lawsuits.
- What will define Elon Musk’s legacy? Doge cuts to USAID Ebola programs
Experts claim cuts to USAID's Ebola programs have hindered the Democratic Republic of Congo's outbreak response and caused significant deaths. Elon Musk has shifted focus from his struggling companies to criticizing USAID on X, drawing attention to his previous role in dismantling the agency.
- How to Get the Venezuela Response Right
Venezuela's recent earthquakes killed over 1,400 people, prompting a U.S. response including USAR teams, $300 million in aid, and military support. The article critiques past U.S. disaster responses, such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake, highlighting issues with in-kind donations and prolonged military involvement, advocating instead for cash aid to support local markets.
- Ebola outbreak containment hampered by USAID closure, experts say
Foreign aid cuts have worsened the Ebola crisis, according to a virologist. The USAID closure is hampering containment efforts, experts say.
- Reponse to Venezuela’s crisis proves that America can still help in substantial ways — even without USAID
Critics claim the Trump administration mishandled Venezuela's earthquake response due to the absence of USAID, but the article argues these critics are incorrect. The response highlights the administration's ability to provide substantial aid without USAID's involvement.
- What J. D. Vance Once Knew
J.D. Vance's 2016 essay in The Atlantic analyzed Donald Trump's appeal, attributing it to social decline and cultural trauma in working-class communities. The article critiques the Trump presidency for failing to address economic and health care issues, citing tariff-driven price increases, lost manufacturing jobs, and cuts to health agencies like the NIH and USAID.
- Former USAID head grieves its closure while hoping for its future
A former USAID administrator reflects on a year since USAID's shutdown and expresses hope for the future of US foreign aid.
- Former USAID head grieves its closure while hoping for its future
A former USAID administrator reflects on the agency's closure a year prior and expresses hope for the future direction of U.S. foreign aid. The article includes an image credited to Chip Somodevilla.
- Africa's aid dependency was never Washington's to fix
The dismantling of USAID has sparked debate over its role in fostering aid dependency in Africa and its humanitarian consequences. Critics highlight preventable deaths linked to aid cuts, while supporters argue foreign assistance has failed to advance American interests. The article emphasizes structural issues in African economies, where resource wealth often fails to translate into local development, and calls for stronger domestic governance.
- A year after USAID shutdown, Americans still back foreign development aid, poll shows
A year after the Trump administration dissolved USAID, a poll shows most Americans still support foreign aid for disaster relief, disease prevention, and security. Over 70% of respondents backed maintaining or expanding aid after learning it accounted for just 1% of the US budget. Republican and MAGA voter support increased significantly when provided with details about aid outcomes.
- US leads Venezuela earthquake response with $300 million in humanitarian aid
The US is leading the response to a Venezuela earthquake with $300 million in humanitarian aid, following two massive quakes that killed over 1,700 people and left 50,000 missing. The Trump administration pledged $150 million within 24 hours and deployed four search-and-rescue teams and military personnel.
- Venezuelan earthquakes test Trump’s new western hemisphere policy after gutting of USAID
The US is responding to recent earthquakes in Venezuela, now considered an ally after the January deposal of President Nicolás Maduro. The Trump administration, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has deployed search and rescue teams and pledged a $150 million assistance fund.
- Venezuelan earthquakes test Trump’s new western hemisphere policy after gutting of USAID
Venezuelan earthquakes are testing Trump’s new western hemisphere policy as the US, under Marco Rubio, mobilizes disaster response teams and pledges $150 million in aid to a country where the US deposed President Nicolás Maduro in January.
- Bloomberg This Weekend 6/27/2026
Bloomberg This Weekend, hosted by David Gura, Christina Ruffini, and Lisa Mateo, provides weekend news coverage from New York. The show features former UN Ambassador and former USAID Administrator Samantha Power and Oklahoma Senator Alan Armstrong as guests.
- 2028 hopeful fires back at Elon Musk after trillionaire threatened lawsuit: 'Not going to be silenced'
Rep. Ro Khanna dismissed Elon Musk's threats of legal action over criticism of USAID cuts, asserting he would not be intimidated. Musk accused Khanna of lying and suggested suing him, while Khanna cited a Lancet Group study linking the cuts to potential child deaths. The dispute centers on Musk's role in reducing USAID programs during the Trump administration.
- 2028 hopeful fires back at Elon Musk after trillionaire threatened lawsuit: 'Not going to be silenced'
Rep. Ro Khanna, a 2028 presidential hopeful, dismissed Elon Musk's threats of legal action after criticizing Musk's role in USAID budget cuts, which Khanna claims may have caused global child deaths. Musk responded by calling Khanna a liar and suggesting legal action, while Khanna expressed confidence in his legal standing.
- U.S. pledges generous earthquake relief to Venezuela
The U.S. has pledged earthquake relief to Venezuela, with the Trump administration's response being the strongest since dismantling USAID last year.
- Child malnutrition in Nepal has reached ‘alarming’ levels since aid cuts, survey finds
Child malnutrition in Nepal has reached 'alarming' levels according to a new survey, linked to the end of USAID funding for nutrition programs. The survey is the largest ever conducted on under-fives in the country, raising concerns about reversing progress in reducing child mortality.
- Venezuela suffers effects of Trump’s aid, foreign policies after deadly quakes
Venezuela faces challenges in humanitarian relief efforts due to the Trump administration's closure of USAID. Christopher Sabatini of Chatham House criticizes the administration for requiring multi-agency coordination instead of utilizing an existing agency efficiently.
- Venezuela's deadly earthquakes test US aid effort
Deadly earthquakes in Venezuela, described as the strongest in a century, are testing the Trump administration’s disaster relief response after dismantling USAID. President Trump pledged U.S. support, signaling a potential diplomatic realignment with Venezuela and highlighting Washington’s role in aiding the country’s post-Maduro transition.
- Elon Musk threatens to sue Ro Khanna over claims USAID cuts sentenced children to death
Elon Musk threatened to sue Rep. Ro Khanna after Khanna accused Musk of causing deaths by dismantling USAID. Musk defended his DOGE initiative, claiming it prevents aid fraud, while Khanna cited an academic study linking USAID cuts to child deaths.
- Ebola outbreak worsening in Congo, response hampered by Trump's USAID cuts
Ebola is accelerating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with no approved medicine or vaccine for the virus. The response to the outbreak is being hampered by USAID cuts under Trump.
- Ebola outbreak worsening in Congo, response hampered by Trump's USAID cuts
Ebola is accelerating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with no approved medicine or vaccine for the virus. The response is being hampered by Trump's USAID cuts.
- Elon Musk 'needs to answer' for 4.5 million kids 'sentenced to death' over DOGE cuts, Ro Khanna argues
Rep. Ro Khanna accused Elon Musk of potentially causing the deaths of 4.5 million children worldwide through spending cuts tied to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Khanna called for Musk to be investigated and subpoenaed, while also promoting a wealth tax proposal targeting billionaires. Host Jennifer Welch supported the criticism, linking Musk's actions to harm against the poorest populations.
- Parliamentary budget office
Members of parliament have proposed establishing an independent Parliamentary Budget Office to provide unbiased budget analysis, with a 2025 private member's bill introduced but opposed by the Ministry of Finance. The bill was referred to a committee for review, but no amended draft has been presented for the 2026-27 budget debate. Examples of existing parliamentary budget offices in countries like Australia, Canada, and Afghanistan are cited.
- Germany’s far right wants to DOGE its foreign aid agency
Germany’s far-right AfD party seeks to abolish the foreign aid ministry, citing a fraud scandal at GIZ, the German Agency for International Cooperation, where 24 Yemen office employees were dismissed over alleged misdeeds. The scandal involves suspected embezzlement and fraudulent claims, with damage estimated in tens of millions of euros. AfD spokesperson Rocco Kever criticized Germany’s development aid policy, comparing it to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to USAID.
- Malawi: Malawi's Education Choices in the Wake of Aid Cuts
Malawi faces education challenges following aid cuts after the Trump administration dismantled USAID, cutting over 5,000 programs and $40 billion in global funding. The article discusses the impact of these cuts on Malawi's education system a year later.
- UN food agencies warn acute hunger will worsen in 13 hot spots as famine risks rise
UN food agencies warn acute hunger will worsen in 13 global hotspots, including Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, and Gaza, due to conflict, funding shortages, and climate shocks. The U.S. pledged $800 million to the World Food Program, but its $10 billion 2026 funding appeal remains underfunded.
- Trump is dismantling the tools that gave the US leverage in Africa
The Trump administration's Africa strategy prioritizes trade and investment over aid, but its dismantling of diplomatic tools like USAID and visa restrictions has weakened U.S. leverage. Recent actions, including appointing Frank Garcia as assistant secretary of state for African affairs and legislative efforts to expand Africa expertise, highlight growing recognition of the need for stronger diplomatic capacity to secure strategic interests.
- Littwin: One question newly minted trillionaire Elon Musk can’t answer: When is too much ever too much?
The article questions whether Elon Musk, now a trillionaire, can determine when his actions cause excessive harm. It references Musk's past statement about dismantling USAID and asks how many resulting deaths were acceptable.