The former presidents teamed up with Bono for a farewell video marking the organization’s last day as an independent agency. During the send-off, Obama slammed the move, saying, “Gutting USAID is a travesty, and it’s a tragedy.”
“It’s some of the most important work happening anywhere in the world,” Obama said.
According to the Trump administration, about 90% of the program created by President John F. Kennedy to promote humanitarian and development efforts is being cut. USAID had an original budget of $58.8 billion for fiscal 2025, which was put in place by the Biden administration.
Bush also spoke in a recorded video.
“You’ve shown the great strength of America through your work, and that is your good heart. Is it in our national interests that 25 million people who would have died now live? I think it is, and so do you,” Bush said.
HERE ARE THE SPENDING CUTS IN THE RESCISSIONS BILL PASSED BY THE HOUSE
Bono, hailed as the call’s surprise guest, held back tears as he read an original poem about the change. He is known for his humanitarian efforts in Africa.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously spoke on the troubles USAID has had, including being rife with bureaucracy and radical ideologies. Some of Rubio and President Donald Trump’s reasoning for cutting specific programs, such as the Economic Support Fund, was the promotion of “radical gender and climate projects.”
