The Trump administration is considering merging USAID into the State Department, aligning foreign aid spending with its “America First” policy. Elon Musk, leading Trump’s federal cost-cutting drive, called USAID a “criminal organization”, as critics warn of global humanitarian risks.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the country’s main foreign aid body, may be merged into the State Department under a major restructuring plan by President Donald Trump. The move is part of a broader effort to reduce federal spending and reshape U.S. foreign policy.
Trump has tasked Elon Musk, the billionaire overseeing the administration’s government efficiency drive, to lead the project. On Sunday, Trump criticized USAID, calling it “run by radical lunatics,” while Musk claimed, without evidence, that the agency was “a criminal organization.”
Founded in 1961 under President John F. Kennedy, USAID administers 60% of U.S. foreign assistance, disbursing $43.79 billion in 2023. It operates in about 130 countries, focusing on poverty reduction, humanitarian aid, and economic development.
Top recipients of USAID assistance in 2023 included Ukraine, Ethiopia, Jordan, Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Syria. The agency is funded by Congress, with budget requests submitted by the administration.
In 2023, the U.S. allocated $72 billion in foreign aid, accounting for 42% of all global humanitarian aid. Historically, U.S. aid spending was around 0.33% of GDP, far below Cold War-era levels, where it reached 3% during the Marshall Plan.
Despite leading in total dollar contributions, the U.S. ranks among the lowest in foreign aid as a percentage of national income, contributing just 0.24% in 2023—lagging behind Norway (1.09%), and multiple European nations.
Foreign aid has traditionally enjoyed bipartisan backing, though Republicans have often pushed for reductions. Trump previously attempted to cut foreign aid by one-third, but those efforts were blocked by Congress.
In June 2024, 80% of the Republican-led House of Representatives rejected a proposal to eliminate foreign aid from the 2025 budget, signaling continued support despite Trump's opposition.
Trump’s January 20 executive order paused most foreign aid for 90 days, claiming the U.S. aid system is “not aligned with American interests.” His administration has warned USAID workers against resisting the restructuring, threatening disciplinary action for noncompliance.
The move has raised alarm among humanitarian organizations, the United Nations, and foreign governments, as USAID plays a critical role in food security, health programs, and crisis response.
A source familiar with USAID operations warned that folding the agency into the State Department would limit humanitarian assistance, especially in countries without diplomatic ties to the U.S., such as Iran and North Korea.
As Trump pushes forward with restructuring, concerns grow over the future of U.S. humanitarian influence and global development efforts.
Syria has entered into an $800 million memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dubai World to develop, manage, and operate a multi-purpose terminal at the port of Tartous, marking a significant shift in the nation's maritime infrastructure strategy.
Sixteen nations took the stage on Thursday, but only ten earned passage to the Grand Final on May 17 alongside the Big Five and host Switzerland. Those advancing are Lithuania, Israel, Armenia, Denmark, Austria, Luxembourg, Finland, Latvia, Malta and Greece
Intruders forced Haiti’s Peligre Dam offline, slicing its 54 MW output and plunging central regions into blackout. EDH condemns the breach and urges rapid security measures as communities, already hit by gang blockades, contend with total power loss.
The United States is preparing to ease sanctions on Syria in the coming weeks, following President Donald Trump's unexpected announcement to lift all restrictions targeting Damascus.
President Donald Trump on Thursday announced deals totaling over $200 billion between the United States and the United Arab Emirates, including a $14.5 billion commitment between Boeing BA.N, GE Aerospace GE.N and Etihad Airways, the White House said.
Syria has entered into an $800 million memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dubai World to develop, manage, and operate a multi-purpose terminal at the port of Tartous, marking a significant shift in the nation's maritime infrastructure strategy.
Sixteen nations took the stage on Thursday, but only ten earned passage to the Grand Final on May 17 alongside the Big Five and host Switzerland. Those advancing are Lithuania, Israel, Armenia, Denmark, Austria, Luxembourg, Finland, Latvia, Malta and Greece
Intruders forced Haiti’s Peligre Dam offline, slicing its 54 MW output and plunging central regions into blackout. EDH condemns the breach and urges rapid security measures as communities, already hit by gang blockades, contend with total power loss.
The United States is preparing to ease sanctions on Syria in the coming weeks, following President Donald Trump's unexpected announcement to lift all restrictions targeting Damascus.
President Donald Trump on Thursday announced deals totaling over $200 billion between the United States and the United Arab Emirates, including a $14.5 billion commitment between Boeing BA.N, GE Aerospace GE.N and Etihad Airways, the White House said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
EU approves 17th Russia sanctions, blacklisting almost 200 shadow‑fleet ships, 30 evasion firms and 75 defence figures, banning missile chemicals and arming Brussels to strike Kremlin hybrid and operations.
In a high‑stakes May 18 runoff, nationalist George Simion and centrist Nicușor Dan clash in a tight race that could steer Romania’s political and European trajectory for years to come.
On May 19, London and Brussels are set to kick off their first annual summit, prioritizing a new UK–EU defense and security pact even as negotiations continue with Washington over tariff relief on British steel, cars and aerospace components.
Archer Aviation’s four‑seat “Midnight” electric air taxi will shuttle fans, VIPs and support teams between major LA28 venues—SoFi Stadium, the Coliseum, LAX and more—in 10–20 minute hops, marking the first use of eVTOLs at any Olympic Games.
On May 16, 2025, Tirana, Albania, hosts the sixth European Political Community (EPC) Summit. Under the theme "A New Europe in a New World: Unity – Cooperation
Syria has entered into an $800 million memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dubai World to develop, manage, and operate a multi-purpose terminal at the port of Tartous, marking a significant shift in the nation's maritime infrastructure strategy.
Syria has entered into an $800 million memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dubai World to develop, manage, and operate a multi-purpose terminal at the port of Tartous, marking a significant shift in the nation's maritime infrastructure strategy.
Sixteen nations took the stage on Thursday, but only ten earned passage to the Grand Final on May 17 alongside the Big Five and host Switzerland. Those advancing are Lithuania, Israel, Armenia, Denmark, Austria, Luxembourg, Finland, Latvia, Malta and Greece
Intruders forced Haiti’s Peligre Dam offline, slicing its 54 MW output and plunging central regions into blackout. EDH condemns the breach and urges rapid security measures as communities, already hit by gang blockades, contend with total power loss.
The United States is preparing to ease sanctions on Syria in the coming weeks, following President Donald Trump's unexpected announcement to lift all restrictions targeting Damascus.
President Donald Trump on Thursday announced deals totaling over $200 billion between the United States and the United Arab Emirates, including a $14.5 billion commitment between Boeing BA.N, GE Aerospace GE.N and Etihad Airways, the White House said.
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