On February 2, Elon Musk labeled the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) a “criminal organisation,” echoing former President Donald Trump’s bashing of the agency. Donald Trump had earlier called USAID “run by radical lunatics” and questioned its future. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, also accused USAID of operating as a CIA front. In a conversation with journalist Tucker Carlson, Robert Kennedy highlighted that USAID played a key role in the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, spending $5 billion to install Volodymyr Zelensky. With the Republican party pillars confronting and exposing the agency of using taxpayers money in promoting instability in various countries, let us look how far the reach of USAID goes.
Promoting Atheism in Nepal
Back in March, 2024 Republican Congressman Brian Mast highlighted that the Biden administration allocated $500,000 through USAID to promote atheism in Nepal. The claim emerged during testimony by Richard R. Verma, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability.
USAID donated $500,000 every year to promote atheism in the world’s only former Hindu Rashtra—Nepal.
Thank you, @realDonaldTrump & @elonmusk, on behalf of 1 billion Hindus worldwide, for shutting down USAID! pic.twitter.com/Q6f4q5v3cS
— Radharamn Das राधारमण दास (@RadharamnDas) February 5, 2025
Brian Mast confronted Richard R. Verma, citing an official document that outlined the grant’s objective as “promoting and defending religious freedom, inclusive of atheists, humanists, and non-affiliated individuals.” The document also mentioned strengthening networks advocating for atheist communities. However, Richard R. Verma denied the allegations, asserting that the U.S. does not fund any initiative to promote religion or non-religion. Mast argued that the grant explicitly aimed at increasing the capacity of atheist organizations in Nepal. He accused the administration of misleading the committee and misusing taxpayer money under the guise of religious freedom.
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- USAID funding Media Outlets
At the latest, The White House, through Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, confirmed that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has been funding several media outlets, including Politico, with taxpayer money. Leavitt disclosed that over $8 million in taxpayer funds were used to subsidize subscriptions to these outlets. However, following recommendations from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Agency (DOGE), this funding will now be cut off. Leavitt stated that the government is reviewing all financial obligations to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and serve the interests of the American people. She emphasized that any unnecessary spending would be stopped, resulting in significant savings for taxpayers.
According to the Columbia Journalism Review, USAID supported 6,200 journalists, 707 news outlets and 279 media sector civil society organizations in 30 different countries.
No wonder the news all sounds the same.
— Insurrection Barbie (@DefiyantlyFree) February 6, 2025
USAID Funding Anti-India Outfits
USAID recently has also been found funding the Pakistan-based Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), a front for the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), despite the organization being banned by the U.S. in 2010. FIF, which played a role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has been linked to ongoing terrorist activities in India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. USAID funneled funds to FIF via Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD), a Michigan-based charity with ties to jihadist groups. This revelation came even as U.S. President Donald Trump initiated efforts to dismantle USAID, highlighting its involvement in funding groups that promote anti-India terrorism. Despite probes into HHRD’s connections to terror organizations, USAID continued its funding, raising concerns about the agency’s oversight and the need for transparency in foreign aid allocation.
USAID allegedly funding Hollywood stars to speak for Ukraine
It is also alleged that USAID has been funding Hollywood stars to publicly support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. It is speculated that celebrities such as Sean Penn, Orlando Bloom, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Ben Stiller, and Angelina Jolie received significant sums for their involvement. Penn was paid $5 million, Bloom $8 million, Stiller $4 million, Van Damme $1.5 million, and Jolie received a whopping $20 million. These payments were reportedly made to encourage high-profile advocacy for Ukraine. After the U.S. President Donald Trump moved to freeze USAID funding, it caused panic in Ukrainian media circles, with outlets urgently seeking donations from the public.
SHOCKING video on USAID…
USAID was using Tax Payer Money to run their Child-sex Trafficking Enterprise, most notably, ‘Save the Children’ where Jill Biden was on their Board. pic.twitter.com/DOtbPCAsj9
— Liz Churchill (@liz_churchill10) February 5, 2025
USAID backing BBC with funds
At the latest, the BBC fundings got out in front of the people that brought shocking revelations. The findings showed the connection between the so-called independent, unbiased media and USAID. The funding chart showed that The BBC, which is often touted as an independent media organization, receives substantial funding from foreign governments, with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) emerging as one of its major backers. In 2023-24 alone, BBC Media Action, the broadcaster’s international development arm, received a staggering £2.6 million from USAID, making it one of the largest contributors to its operations.
