Elon Musk USAID a “Criminal Organization” as Trump considers agency’s future

In a dramatic escalation of tensions, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has launched a scathing attack on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), calling it a “criminal organization.” The criticism came on Sunday, just as former U.S. President Donald Trump labeled the agency as “run by radical lunatics” and hinted at reconsidering its future.

The assault on USAID, which is tasked with providing humanitarian relief overseas, marks a significant new front in Trump’s efforts to overhaul government departments. Trump has increasingly relied on Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, to challenge what they perceive as wasteful government spending and overreach.

Musk’s comments were made on his social media platform, X, in response to a video alleging USAID’s involvement in “rogue CIA work” and “internet censorship.” The billionaire, who has become one of Trump’s most influential supporters, did not provide evidence to support his claims.

Meanwhile, reports have emerged that representatives from Musk’s team, referred to as “DOGE,” attempted to access classified documents and secure spaces at USAID headquarters as part of a broader effort to scrutinize government operations. According to PBS, the DOGE representatives also sought access to staff files and security systems, though these claims were dismissed by Trump’s senior aide, Steven Cheung, who called the report “legitimately FAKE NEWS.”

USAID’s X account was reportedly disabled, and its website remained offline, further fueling speculation about the agency’s future.

The controversy has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Senator Chris Murphy condemned what he described as the “total destruction” of USAID, while Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez warned of the dangers of allowing an “unelected billionaire” like Musk to access classified information.

“The people elected Donald Trump to be President—not Elon Musk,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X. “Having an unelected billionaire, with his own foreign debts and motives, raiding U.S. classified information is a grave threat to national security.”

As the debate intensifies, the future of USAID and its role in global humanitarian efforts remains uncertain, with Trump and Musk continuing to challenge established government institutions.