Elon Musk boosted false USAID conspiracy theories to shut down global aid

3 hours ago

Elon Musk has recently launched a series of attacks on USAID, calling it a 'viper's nest of radical-left Marxists' and a 'criminal organization,' advocating for its termination.
President Donald Trump has supported this stance, freezing foreign aid and planning to drastically reduce USAID's workforce from over 5,000 to about 290 employees.
Musk's criticisms are amplified through his X platform, where he engages with influential accounts promoting conspiracy theories about USAID, including claims of fraud and censorship.
Mike Benz, a former Trump official, is a key figure behind these theories, alleging USAID is involved in global censorship, election rigging, and even the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite past bipartisan support for USAID's humanitarian work, the agency now faces severe demonization, impacting aid delivery and leading to operational shutdowns.
Musk's companies, such as Tesla and SpaceX, have previously benefited from USAID partnerships, but he now denies any positive role for the agency.
Experts warn that these conspiracy theories, promoted by powerful figures, are influencing policy decisions and undermining critical international aid efforts.

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