The conversation, which featured former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Republican Senator Joni Ernst, began with Musk saying that they were working to close USAID.
“It's beyond repair,” Musk said, adding that President Trump agrees that the program should be closed. According to Musk, the closure of USAID is part of an initiative to reduce government spending.
For those who don't know, USAID is the world's largest single donor. In fiscal year 2023, the U.S. sent $72 billion in aid around the world, covering areas ranging from women's health in conflict zones to access to clean water, HIV/AIDS treatment, energy security, and anti-corruption. The program provided 42% of all humanitarian assistance tracked by the UN in 2024.
The Trump administration terminated USAID last week.