Elon Musk till recently had rarely commented on the US Agency for International Development (USAID) on his social media platform X. However, in a sudden change, Musk has posted several posts against the humanitarian aid agency, calling it as ‘’a viper’s nest of radical left Marxists who hate America’’, ‘’evil’’, and ‘’criminal organization.’’ His most significant remark: ‘’Time for it to die.’’
Musk’s attack on USAID has not come out of nowhere. The agency that is responsible for providing billions of dollars in humanitarian aid to more than 100 countries has long been news for its controversial theories. As per a CNBC report, some claim it as an instrument used for interfering in global politics whereas others believe its funding has been used as a cover for biowarfare research or a method to make the elites group richer.
Musk’s more than 160 posts about USAID were mostly made in response to small but influential accounts. These accounts repackaged and expanded on the conspiracy theories and has been spreading them to millions.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump supported Musk’s statement, stating that while he admires the concept of USAID, its leadership ‘’radical left lunatics.’’ Trump has recently signed an executive order on freezing all foreign aid of USAID. The agency’s manpower will be cut down from 5,000 employees to just 290.
‘’The money laundering is done through several intermediaries,’’ Musk claimed as reported by CNBC. Experts warn that this decision can have harmful repercussions. ‘’Critical medical supplies, crucial medicines and food supply assistance are being held back,’’ CNBC reported.
Musk’s role in removing falsehood underlines the dangers of misinformation when given by influential personalities.