• USAID has been criticized for wasting billions on programs that undermine U.S. interests, including funding COVID-19 research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
• The agency allocated millions to LGBTQ and DEI initiatives abroad, sparking backlash for misaligned priorities.
• USAID funded $102 million in Afghanistan programs under Taliban rule, risking aid diversion to terrorist groups.
• President Trump froze foreign aid grants for 90 days to curb wasteful spending on non-essential programs.
• Critics, including Elon Musk, call for USAID’s dissolution, citing its lack of accountability and alignment with U.S. interests.

In a stunning example of fiscal irresponsibility, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has squandered billions of taxpayer dollars on programs that not only fail to benefit Americans but actively undermine U.S. interests.

From funding COVID-19 research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology to promoting LGBTQ initiatives abroad, USAID’s spending has sparked outrage among not just conservatives but also fiscal watchdogs. President Trump’s recent freeze on foreign aid grants has brought these questionable expenditures into sharp focus, highlighting the need for accountability in how American tax dollars are spent overseas.

COVID labs and questionable science

One of the most egregious examples of USAID’s mismanagement is its funding of the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the lab widely suspected to be the origin point of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to federal records, USAID funneled $38 million in grants to the EcoHealth Alliance, which in turn directed funds to the Wuhan lab. This revelation has raised serious concerns about the agency’s oversight and priorities.

LGBTQ initiatives and DEI programs

USAID’s spending on LGBTQ and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives abroad has also drawn sharp criticism. In Serbia, the agency allocated $1.5 million to a pro-LGBTQ group called “Grupa Izadji” (Group Come Out) to promote “economic empowerment” for LGBTQ individuals. Meanwhile, in South Africa, USAID spent $30 million on HIV research targeting sex workers and transgender individuals.

While these programs may align with the previous administration’s progressive agendas, they do little to advance U.S. national interests.

Funding the Taliban

Perhaps most alarming is USAID’s history of funding groups with ties to terrorist organizations. In Afghanistan, the agency disbursed $102 million for “Democracy, Gender, and Rights Programs” under Taliban rule, despite the regime’s notorious human rights abuses. A 2022 report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) warned that $293 million in aid could fall into Taliban hands, potentially funding terrorist activities.

Trump’s crackdown on waste

President Trump’s executive order freezing most foreign aid grants for 90 days has been a long-overdue step toward reining in USAID’s excesses. The freeze targets non-life-saving programs, including those promoting abortion, transgender surgeries, and DEI initiatives. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who now oversees USAID, has vowed to ensure that every dollar spent aligns with U.S. national interests.

“It’s a completely unresponsive agency. It’s supposed to respond to policy directives with the State Department, and it refuses to do so. Every dollar we spend and every program we fund, that program will be aligned with the national interest of the United States. USAID has a history of sort of ignoring that,” Rubio said.

Elon Musk, a vocal critic of USAID, has called for the agency’s dissolution, describing it as “beyond repair.” Under Trump’s leadership, USAID is being rolled into the State Department, marking a seismic shift in how the U.S. approaches foreign aid.

The revelations about USAID’s wasteful spending underscore the need for greater transparency and accountability in foreign aid. While humanitarian assistance is a noble goal, it must serve American interests and reflect American values. President Trump’s efforts to cut wasteful spending and refocus USAID’s mission are a welcome step toward restoring fiscal responsibility and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used wisely.

As the U.S. grapples with domestic challenges like stagnant wages and crumbling infrastructure, it’s time to prioritize Americans. USAID’s days of unchecked spending on questionable programs must come to an end.

Sources for this article include:

DailyCaller.com

DailyMail.co.uk

ZeroHedge.com