musk claims usaid cuts reduced deaths in africa
In a post on X on Monday, Musk wrote: “Deaths in Africa DECREASED after USAID funding was cut, because they’re no longer able to push for violent revolution to install leftist regimes!” There is no available evidence supporting Musk’s claim. Some indicators point in the opposite direction: Zimbabwe’s health ministry reported a 180% year-over-year increase in malaria cases through the first four months of 2025 and a 218% surge in malaria-related deaths, up to 143 from 45. USAID disbursed about $270 million for health and agriculture programs in Zimbabwe in 2024.
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studies document the deadly result of usaid cuts
A study published in March 2025 found the loss of aid funding for children facing malnutrition in low- and middle-income countries would cut off 1 million children from treatment, potentially resulting in 163,000 child deaths each year. Another study published in the Lancet in July 2025 found the funding cuts could cause the deaths of more than 4.5 million children and more than 14 million total deaths by 2030. Kristof, citing data from the Center for Global Development, found that more than 1.6 million people could die within a year without American foreign aid for HIV prevention and treatment. A tracker co-created by Boston University professor Brooke Nichols projected more than 780,000 deaths caused by the cuts, roughly 518,000 of which are children, after cuts to treatment for malaria, tuberculosis, HIV and pneumonia, among others.
threatens to sue ro khanna
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said in a podcast episode earlier this month that Musk “needs to answer” for the “4.5 million children around the world who he possibly sentenced to death by dismantling USAID.” Musk, in a response on X, wrote, “Time to sue this liar.” In a follow-up post, Musk claimed USAID funding was “being sent to corrupt politicians under the guise of aid” and that “liars and stock insider traders like Ro the Robber should be in prison.”
did usaid fund corrupt politcians?
There are no widespread examples. But there are instances in which USAID funds reached corrupt governments or officials indirectly: Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Tex., and Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., criticized the Biden administration in 2024 after a since-deleted report from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction found that about $10.9 million from aid groups funded by USAID and the State Department was indirectly transferred to the Taliban. USAID’s watchdog in 2023 there were “several instances” where humanitarian aid in Afghanistan was likely compromised by Taliban intimidation or demands.
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big number
$474 million. That’s how much Musk gave in charitable donations in 2024, though most of his grants were given to entities he controls. The largest recipient was The Foundation, a nonprofit created by Musk in 2021 to build and manage a STEM-focused K-12 school, which received $370 million across three separate donations. But Musk fell short of the yearly 5% minimum the IRS legally requires his foundation to give away, after falling roughly $423 million short in 2023.
key background
USAID, the primary international humanitarian aid and development branch of the U.S. government, was shuttered by the Trump administration in early 2025 despite pushback from global aid groups that warned it would have a catastrophic humanitarian impact. As of fiscal year 2023, the agency employed more than 10,000 people and managed more than $40 billion in appropriations with assistance to about 130 countries. The agency’s website went offline in February 2025 shortly after the Trump administration moved to bring USAID under direct control of the State Department, after which officials from the Department of Government Efficiency reportedly tried to access materials at the aid agency’s office, including classified information. Musk responded to CNN’s reporting, calling USAID a “criminal organization” without evidence, and saying that it was time for the agency “to die.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on July 1, 2025, that USAID was shuttered, noting, “Americans should not pay taxes to fund failed governments in faraway lands.”
forbes valuation
Musk is by far the world’s richest person with a net worth of $975 billion as of Monday, according to Forbes’ estimates. He became the world’s first trillionaire following SpaceX’s record-setting IPO earlier this month, but Musk later lost his trillionaire status following a slump in SpaceX shares and new restrictions on his Tesla equity.
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further reading
ForbesBill Gates Accuses Musk Of ‘Killing Over A Million’ Children With USAID Cuts—Accelerates Charity TimelineBy Ty Roush