Trump Administration Cuts 90% of USAID Contracts Amid Foreign Aid Controversy
The Trump administration reveals plans to eliminate 90% of USAID contracts, shedding $60 billion in foreign aid, amid legal challenges and significant backlash.
Musk, DOGE, and the AI-fueled Plot to Fire Everybody
New York Magazine
Overview
The Trump administration announced it will cut more than 90% of USAID's foreign aid contracts, affecting thousands of projects globally. The $60 billion reduction comes as part of a broader initiative led by Trump and Musk to streamline government spending. Critics argue this move undermines years of U.S. development policy. Concurrently, Congress is grappling with competing budget resolutions that complicate Trump's agenda. The implications for critical support programs and international partnerships remain uncertain as legal battles unfold over the funding freeze.
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Analysis
- The Trump administration is implementing significant cuts to foreign aid, intending to eliminate over 90% of USAID contracts, which has sparked legal battles and controversy over the impact on U.S. global interests.
- Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is tasked with streamlining federal operations but has faced criticism for aggressive staff reductions, including tens of thousands of positions at various agencies.
- The recent executive orders emphasize the need for fiscal discipline in government spending but come amid fears that necessary programs and services may be cut too deeply, risking essential functions.
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NBC News·4M·FAQ
The Trump administration plans to cut more than 90% of USAID's foreign aid contracts.
The cuts are expected to reduce foreign aid by approximately $60 billion.
The decision is part of a broader initiative to streamline government spending, though specific details about the involvement of other figures like Elon Musk are not clearly outlined in the available reports.
The Trump administration plans to eliminate 5,800 of 6,200 multiyear USAID contract awards.
History
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