News Trump / foreign aid United States Impact 3.0/10 8 min read

USAID: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

President Trump's decision to shut down USAID has drawn mixed reactions. Trump and Elon Musk, head of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), criticized USAID, with Trump labeling it run by 'radical lunatics' and Musk calling it a 'criminal organization.' The move reflects Trump's disdain for soft power and preference for transactional foreign policy. Some worry China could fill the soft power gap through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative.

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Feb 18, 2025

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President Trump's decision to shut down USAID has drawn mixed reactions. Trump and Elon Musk, head of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), criticized USAID, with Trump labeling it run by 'radical lunatics' and Musk calling it a 'criminal organization.' The move reflects Trump's disdain for soft power and preference for transactional foreign policy. Some worry China could fill the soft power gap through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative.

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