Former Leaders and Global Figures Speak Out After USAID Closure
When USAID’s doors were abruptly closed under President Trump, former leaders and global figures did not stay silent. George W. Bush and Barack Obama, joined by U2’s Bono, used the moment to console staff and publicly question the decision. Observers are left wondering: was this a routine administrative move—or a politically charged act that could threaten vital international aid programs?
Voices of Concern
Former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, along with Bono, addressed USAID employees on Monday following the agency’s sudden closure, expressing concern and offering support.
In a video message, Obama called the shutdown “a travesty and a tragedy,” describing USAID’s work as “some of the most important happening anywhere in the world.” He called the closure “a colossal mistake,” predicting that leaders across the political spectrum would eventually recognize the agency’s critical role.
Bush, Obama, and Bono participated via videoconference to connect personally with staffers as the agency officially ceased operations following a federal investigation into corruption and misuse of funds. While media were not present, clips reviewed by the Associated Press captured the leaders’ messages of support.
USAID’s Legacy and the Closure
Founded during the Kennedy administration, USAID provides foreign economic assistance and promotes global development. Earlier this year, it came under scrutiny by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an agency established by President Trump to identify and eliminate government waste. Elon Musk, then head of DOGE, criticized USAID, calling it “a viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America.”
The agency’s sudden closure has sparked debate over the balance between government accountability and the preservation of international aid programs, raising questions about the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy.
Conclusion
The shuttering of USAID has drawn sharp criticism from former presidents and influential public figures, highlighting concerns about the impact on global aid and employees. While the administration framed the closure as a crackdown on inefficiency and corruption, Bush, Obama, and Bono emphasized the agency’s essential role and the potential long-term consequences of its elimination. The debate now centers on whether efficiency measures can justify the abrupt halt of programs that have shaped U.S. engagement worldwide.