The Trump administration has taken a hard stance against the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with President Donald Trump openly criticizing the agency’s spending.
In recent remarks, Trump called USAID’s financial practices “corrupt” and vowed to crack down on what he sees as wasteful use of taxpayer money.
His administration is now considering shutting down the independent agency or placing it under the control of the State Department.
Melania and Ivanka Trump’s Ties to USAID Funding
Despite Trump’s disapproval of USAID, the agency had close ties to both his wife, Melania Trump, and his daughter, Ivanka Trump, during his first term in office.
USAID played a significant role in supporting their government initiatives, such as Melania’s “Be Best” program and Ivanka’s “Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative.”
Both women also worked closely with USAID on international trips.
In 2018, Melania Trump visited several African nations, including Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, and Egypt, where she promoted USAID-backed educational programs.
Meanwhile, in April 2019, Ivanka Trump traveled to Ethiopia and the Ivory Coast alongside then-USAID administrator Mark Green, meeting women entrepreneurs and farmers to highlight the agency’s economic development efforts.
Millions in USAID Funds Funneled Into Trump Family Initiatives
Reports indicate that USAID allocated around $265 million annually to Ivanka Trump’s women’s business initiative and an associated anti-poverty program.
Additionally, she used over $11,000 in agency funds to acquire video recording equipment for a White House event.
Melania Trump also secured USAID support for her “Be Best” initiative, with the agency naming an official “Be Best Ambassador” to coordinate efforts with her office.
The Future of USAID Under Trump’s Second Term
As Trump moves to restructure or potentially eliminate USAID, his administration has already taken action.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been announced as the acting director of the agency, while Elon Musk, now leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been tasked with reducing government waste.
Hundreds of USAID contractors have been placed on unpaid leave, with many losing their jobs entirely.
The agency’s Washington, D.C. office has been shut down, and remaining employees were either sent home or instructed to work remotely.
Trump Administration’s Justification for the Crackdown
President Trump has repeatedly argued that USAID was mismanaged and full of inefficiencies.
His press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, presented documents last week detailing expenditures that she described as excessive, including spending on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Trump has insisted that taxpayer dollars should not be funding such programs and claims his administration is making necessary cuts to curb government waste.
The Political Battle Over Government Spending
As USAID faces potential dismantling, the debate over government spending and priorities continues.
While Trump’s supporters applaud his efforts to eliminate what they see as unnecessary bureaucracy, critics argue that USAID plays a crucial role in humanitarian aid and global development.
Whether the agency survives Trump’s second term remains uncertain, but one thing is clear—the administration is determined to shake up Washington’s approach to foreign aid and government funding.
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