Elon Musk and Trump to Close Entire Federal Department Down?

In a bombshell announcement during a late-night DOGE Spaces session on X, billionaire Elon Musk declared that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is being shut down. The unexpected decision, backed by former President Donald Trump, has sent shockwaves through Washington and beyond.

The End of USAID?

Rumors swirled for hours before Musk confirmed the administration’s drastic move. Reports surfaced earlier that two high-ranking security officials had been dismissed for blocking DOGE representatives from classified areas.

“As we dug into USAID, it became apparent that we’re not dealing with a bad apple—we’re dealing with a ball of worms,” Musk said. “If you have one worm, you can remove it. But when it’s just worms, there’s nothing to save.”

He went further, branding USAID a “criminal organization” in an incendiary post on X earlier that day. “Time for it to die,” he wrote, fueling speculation about a government-wide purge of agencies deemed inefficient or corrupt. USAID, which manages over $50 billion annually in foreign aid, is one of the largest humanitarian organizations in the world.

An internal email obtained by multiple sources instructed staff not to report to the office Monday, except for those deemed essential.

Trump Backs the Plan

Trump voiced his support, telling reporters, “USAID has been run by radical lunatics, and we’re getting them out.” He stopped short of confirming a permanent shutdown, saying, “We’ll make a decision on its future.”

Musk’s DOGE Spaces chat, however, suggested the agency’s fate was already sealed. Joined by MAGA Senator Joni Ernst and former DOGE executive Vivek Ramaswamy, the discussion quickly veered into a mix of government skepticism and libertarian talking points.

“It’s an honor to be working on DOGE,” Musk said, referencing the government efficiency task force he launched with Trump’s backing. “It may have a funny name, but the results are serious—billions in savings already.”

Ramaswamy, who recently left DOGE amid speculation about a political run, praised Musk. “You’ve been kicking ass the last couple of weeks,” he said.

‘Shrimp on Treadmills’ and ‘Kitty Spas’

Ernst wasted no time listing alleged abuses of USAID’s budget. “We’re talking about taxpayer dollars funding research on how fast shrimp run on treadmills and sending cats to luxury spas,” she said.

The shrimp treadmill story, often cited in conservative circles, originated from a 2011 study on environmental impacts on marine life. The researcher behind it, Dr. Lou Burnett, previously defended the work, calling claims about waste misleading. “The experiment was about water quality and disease, not shrimp workouts,” he told NPR at the time.

But Ernst wasn’t done. She alleged USAID had threatened her when she questioned spending in Ukraine. Her claim comes as the Trump administration pressures the agency to align with its America First agenda.

What’s Next?

The abrupt dismantling of USAID raises questions about the future of U.S. foreign aid. Critics argue that gutting the agency could destabilize humanitarian efforts and weaken American influence abroad. Others see it as a long-overdue reckoning for government waste.

With Musk and Trump aligned on the issue, USAID’s fate seems all but sealed. Whether Congress intervenes remains to be seen. For now, thousands of employees and global partners are left scrambling to understand what happens next.