Elon Musk Shuts Down USAID With Trump’s Backing, Locks Out 600 Staffers Overnight

In a bold move that has stunned Washington, Elon Musk, with the approval of President Donald Trump, has officially shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The agency, responsible for global humanitarian aid, was deemed “beyond repair” by Musk, who took immediate action after taking control of the organization.

Musk, who is leading a review of federal agencies, stated that after reviewing USAID’s operations, it became clear that the agency was too far gone to be saved. “What we have is just a ball of worms,” Musk explained, adding that shutting it down was the only option. Following the decision, USAID staffers found themselves locked out of their systems, with 600 employees unable to access their computers overnight.

🚨 Hundreds *more* USAID staff locked out of accounts last night, per sources, leaving aid teams picked apart.

Hours later, Musk (unelected) said Trump "agreed" to shut down USAID (they don't have this authority).
Musk's DOGE barred workers from HQ today.https://t.co/P0HQh46Qgg

— Prem Thakker (@prem_thakker) February 3, 2025

This drastic action comes after a series of confrontations between USAID and Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Security officials at the agency were put on leave after blocking DOGE access to classified information, which led to tensions over transparency and accountability.

They’re an arm of the radical-left globalists https://t.co/tI0QJW1qP1

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 4, 2025

Musk has continued to criticize USAID, calling it a “criminal organization” and accusing it of funding questionable research, including allegations of involvement in the COVID-19 pandemic. Though these claims remain unsubstantiated, they have fueled the controversy surrounding the agency’s future.

Under the Biden administration, billions of dollars were shifted from helping Americans in need to facilitating illegal immigration. Super messed up! https://t.co/stxpk2SNnb

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 4, 2025

With Trump’s backing, Musk has expressed his intention to overhaul government operations, focusing on cutting costs and improving efficiency. USAID’s closure raises questions about the future of U.S. foreign aid and the role of humanitarian organizations globally.

As Washington watches closely, the next steps remain unclear—will the U.S. continue its role as a leader in global aid, or will Musk’s vision for a more streamlined government take shape? Only time will tell.