USAID’s role in global health initiatives has faced significant criticism, especially due to its ties with the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) and its potential involvement in the origins of COVID-19. Despite USAID’s claims to be focused on monitoring emerging infectious diseases, reports suggest a far darker role. Through its PREDICT program, the agency funnelled taxpayer money into research at WIV, where viruses were studied—and potentially engineered. Collaborations with organisations like EcoHealth Alliance have raised suspicions that USAID may have inadvertently or deliberately contributed to the development of a manmade virus.
The primary focus of these studies was on bat coronaviruses and their potential to infect humans. However, growing concerns exist that these efforts went beyond simple observation and prevention. Some argue that USAID’s funding enabled experiments that led to the creation of the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. This raises questions about the agency’s possible role in facilitating the development of the very pathogen that caused the global outbreak.
Reports claim that a leading scientist from WIV even blew the whistle on the US taxpayer-funded lab, alleging the virus was “engineered” as a bioweapon. This has sparked further speculation about USAID’s involvement in funding research at WIV and whether it contributed to the creation of COVID-19. While no definitive evidence has emerged to support these claims, investigations by the World Health Organization and other international bodies are ongoing.
It is important to note that USAID’s funding at WIV was part of broader efforts to study viruses in their natural reservoirs, with the goal of preventing future pandemics by identifying potential threats early. However, these initiatives have become a focal point of controversy as questions mount over their actual impact on global health.
DOGE vs. USAID: Why Musk and Trump Want to Dismantle This ‘Deep State’ Agency
In January 2025, President Donald Trump ordered a near-total freeze on foreign aid, and soon after, Elon Musk revealed that he and Trump were working to permanently shut down USAID. Employees were instructed to refrain from coming to work, and USAID’s Washington, D.C. headquarters was closed to all but essential staff.
Musk didn’t hold back, calling USAID a “criminal organisation,” a sentiment echoed by Trump, who labelled the agency as “run by radical lunatics.” This unlikely partnership has shaken up traditional government structures, with Musk gaining unprecedented power over federal agencies through the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk views USAID as an outdated relic of the Cold War, a costly instrument of foreign interference disguised as humanitarian aid. For him, it’s not about saving lives but about protecting taxpayer dollars and limiting the US involvement in global meddling—an outlook that resonates with the technocrats in Trump’s inner circle who argue that America’s role as a global enforcer is detrimental to the country.
The Role of USAID in America’s Global Strategy
Founded in 1961 by President John F Kennedy, USAID was intended to promote democracy, freedom, and capitalism through aid.
Critics argue that USAID is the velvet glove covering the iron fist of US foreign policy. It funds Musk views USAID as a bloated relic of the Cold War, an expensive tool for foreign meddling masquerading as humanitarian assistance. To Musk, it’s not about saving lives; it’s about saving taxpayer dollars and limiting US involvement in global manipulation. This view resonates with technocrats in Trump’s inner circle who believe America’s desire to act as a global policeman hampers the country.
The Role of USAID in America’s Global Strategy
Established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, USAID was designed to promote democracy, freedom, and capitalism through international aid. Critics contend that USAID serves as the “velvet glove” covering the “iron fist” of US foreign policy, funding NGOs, civil society organisations, and media outlets that align with American interests. In regions where military intervention would be too overt, USAID steps in under the guise of promoting democracy, often supporting governments that favour US interests while undermining those that don’t.
Mike Benz, a former State Department official, argues that USAID is not just a typical aid agency but a crucial element of America’s global influence. He claims that USAID functions as a central hub connecting the State Department, Pentagon, and Intelligence Community, with its mission not only focused on humanitarian goals but also on strategically building institutions in foreign countries that align with US objectives.
Geopolitical Implications: Advantage China?
As Musk and Trump work to dismantle USAID, China is steadily increasing its global influence through the Belt and Road Initiative, securing infrastructure deals and providing loans without political strings attached. Where USAID pulls back, China steps in, offering an alternative development model that avoids the political reforms often tied to Western aid. The consequences are far-reaching. Without USAID, America risks losing its soft power advantage and ceding influence in regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America to China. While Musk envisions space exploration and Trump focuses on domestic issues, Xi Jinping is strategically reshaping the global order with his investments.
