USAID is a 'criminal organization,' it should be shut down: Musk

Elon Musk has called for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to "die" after reports emerged that two senior security officials at the agency were placed on leave for denying his representatives access to classified materials.

Musk, who was appointed by US President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), on Monday branded USAID a “criminal organisation” after security officials reportedly denied members of his cost-cutting task force access to restricted areas of the agency’s headquarters in Washington, DC.

In three posts shared on X (formerly Twitter), Musk wrote, "Did you know that USAID funded biological weapons research with your tax money? This included pathogens like COVID-19, which caused the deaths of millions."

Musk also shared a tweet by Mike Benz, saying, "USAID has given huge amounts of money to media outlets to promote their propaganda."

In another tweet, he declared, "Time for it to die."

Earlier, the Trump administration announced plans to change the foreign aid distribution system. Last week, the administration said it would temporarily suspend foreign aid programs to review whether they align with Trump's "America First" policy.