Elon Musk Accuses USAID of Being a ‘Criminal Organization’
Musk's remarks were made on his social media platform X

Elon Musk has escalated his criticism of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), labelling it a “criminal organization” and asserting that it is “time for it to die.”
This declaration comes amid reports of internal tensions within USAID, particularly following an incident where two senior officials were placed on administrative leave for denying access to representatives from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Musk leads under President Donald Trump.
Musk’s remarks were made on his social media platform, X, in response to allegations that USAID was involved in activities such as “rogue CIA work” and “internet censorship.” He further claimed, without providing evidence, that USAID used taxpayer dollars to fund bioweapon research related to COVID-19.
Musk’s statements align with Trump’s criticism of USAID, which he described as being run by “radical lunatics.” Trump has indicated a desire to potentially abolish the agency or integrate it into the State Department, a move that reflects ongoing debates about the efficiency and effectiveness of U.S. foreign aid programs.
The controversy intensified after USAID security officials attempted to block DOGE personnel from accessing secure areas within the agency. This incident has led to speculation about a broader restructuring of USAID under Trump’s administration, which has already shown signs of wanting to cut foreign aid spending.