By Don Terry | Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 3 min read
In the heart of Africa, parents search desperately for the medicines that keep their children alive. The lifeline that once sustained them—aid from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)—has been cut off. The consequences are dire: over 8 million people facing extreme hunger, left to battle starvation alone. This devastation stems from a shocking decision that has put countless lives at risk.
In our December 25, 2024, report, we highlighted Elon Musk’s public criticism of MacKenzie Scott’s approach to philanthropy. However, his influence has gone far beyond words—he has used his immense power to disrupt USAID operations in Africa, with devastating consequences. The most vulnerable, including children born with HIV, are now paying the price.
These children rely on specialized medications and continuous monitoring to stay alive. Without treatment, their fragile health deteriorates rapidly, and many do not survive beyond 8 to 12 weeks. The difference between life and death for them hinges on access to critical care—an access that is now being intentionally stripped away.
Musk, a South African-born billionaire who later became a Canadian and American citizen, has gone beyond business ventures and technological innovation. He has now entangled himself in the inner workings of the U.S. government, pushing decisions that override humanitarian needs. The repercussions of his actions have reached an unprecedented level, affecting the most vulnerable populations—people who had, until recently, been receiving aid vital to their survival.
Jeremy Konyndyk, president of Refugees International and a former USAID official, has seen the damage firsthand. “This is not a situation where harm is on the horizon—harm is already here,” he explains.
The implications extend beyond hunger and medical shortages. A phase-one HIV vaccine trial was halted due to the funding freeze. Clinics across Darfur, which provide essential healthcare, are shutting their doors. The furloughs of USAID staff mean that if a natural disaster were to strike, the U.S. would be unable to send emergency search and rescue teams. This is not just an issue of policy—it is a dismantling of humanitarian efforts that have saved millions of lives worldwide.
Musk’s rationale for this intervention? Alleged grievances against USAID, claims that many experts argue are unfounded. Instead of addressing specific concerns, he has pushed to dismantle an entire agency, describing it as something that should be thrown “into the wood chipper.” The repercussions are swift and severe, yet the legality of such a move remains in question. USAID was established by Congress in 1998, and only Congress has the authority to dismantle it. Even a sitting U.S. president does not have the unilateral power to shut it down, let alone a private citizen.
Musk recently tweeted, “Live by executive order, die by executive order,” implying that agencies can be erased at will. However, as Konyndyk points out, “He needs to read the law.” The agency’s role is enshrined in congressional legislation, making this a clear case of overreach.
The humanitarian crisis unfolding is not an unfortunate side effect—it is a direct result of a billionaire exerting his will over government functions. The price of this interference is being paid by the most vulnerable: the sick, the hungry, and the children whose lives depend on aid that was flowing just a week ago.
The world watches as a question looms: Who holds the power to decide who lives and who dies? And how did we reach a point where one man can wield such unchecked influence over humanitarian aid?
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