USAID accounted for about 1% of the U.S. federal budget. By cancelling USAID, the U.S. federal budget was hardly affected, but the impact on Third World countries has been severe. The administration is claiming that no one has died because of the cancellation of USAID. This is a typical example of how the Trump-mentality distorts truth to fit a distorted reality. Firstly, it ignores the hardship and misery, short of death, caused by cancellation of aid; particularly hard hit are the most vulnerable, namely, pregnant women and children. Secondly, the statement that no one has died is not true; what is true is that there are no data about mortality among pregnant women and infants because the people who used to keep statistics on mortality rates lost their jobs when the funding was cut. This is how truth dies.
"Ignorance is strength."
https://apnews.com/article/usaid-trump-foreign-aid-33d080076b133e6ba5ff687a0da07221
By contrast, Trump's Iran war has cost 33 billion so far. This estimate comes from the NZZ.ch news portal (paywall), based on data from the U.S. Congressional Budget Office. Hegseth is asking for more, cuz it ain't over yet.
@moonbus saidIn which universe is it the fault of the doner, the USA if the recipient, poor countries, do not receive aid. Maybe you need to have another look at what 'AID' means, and why it is you must receive this 'AID' on a regular basis otherwise you will die? This is not AID, but dependency and entitlement.
USAID accounted for about 1% of the U.S. federal budget. By cancelling USAID, the U.S. federal budget was hardly affected, but the impact on Third World countries has been severe. The administration is claiming that no one has died because of the cancellation of USAID. This is a typical example of how the Trump-mentality distorts truth to fit a distorted reality. Firstly, it ...[text shortened]... n data from the U.S. Congressional Budget Office. Hegseth is asking for more, cuz it ain't over yet.
Clearly there is something wrong with the recipient, and not doner, who has the right to spend their money where they see fit.
African countries who typically receive the bulk of this 1% USAID, are notorious for govt corruption, stealing aid received. Instead of stealing this money they should have got their people off this dependency syndrome and entitlement complex. Some of these beggar countries need to get their act together and pumping money for politicians to get rich is not a solution.
The US is absolutely right to cut this aid, and any deaths associated with it is the fault of their crooked and greedy politicans.
@moonbus saidDNC is now broke since USAID funding stopped...
USAID accounted for about 1% of the U.S. federal budget. By cancelling USAID, the U.S. federal budget was hardly affected, but the impact on Third World countries has been severe. The administration is claiming that no one has died because of the cancellation of USAID. This is a typical example of how the Trump-mentality distorts truth to fit a distorted reality. Firstly, it ...[text shortened]... n data from the U.S. Congressional Budget Office. Hegseth is asking for more, cuz it ain't over yet.
"Just months into the tenure of a new party leader, Ken Martin, the Democratic National Committee’s financial situation has grown so bleak that top officials have discussed whether they might need to borrow money this year to keep paying the bills."
https://www.clintonfoundationtimeline.com/june-18-2025-chaos-swirls-through-a-dnc-desperate-for-cash/
@Rajk999 saidFrom the American Jewish Commitee:
In which universe is it the fault of the doner, the USA if the recipient, poor countries, do not receive aid. Maybe you need to have another look at what 'AID' means, and why it is you must receive this 'AID' on a regular basis otherwise you will die? This is not AID, but dependency and entitlement.
https://www.ajc.org/news/what-every-american-should-know-about-us-aid-to-israel
Why is U.S. aid critical to Israel?
Israel’s enemies (nations and nonstate actors) have repeatedly tried and failed to destroy the world’s only Jewish state and eliminate its Jewish population. America has helped safeguard Israel’s survival with political and financial support.
Today, most of the aid America provides to Israel is focused on supporting the Jewish State’s defense from its adversaries, such as Iran and Iran’s terror proxies Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
For 80 years the U.S. provided vital aid to Israel, and look at the result. I'm sure white supremacists who were anti-Jewish may have used the same arguments you did: "why should we help these Jews? It's not our problem if they can't defend themselves". But the result: Israel is now a powerhouse.
Same for Japan. Even though you could argue the U.S. was under no obligation to help a country that attacked it first, look at the result of decades of U.S. aid - they are also a powerhouse. This is also true for China, who received huge aid packages decades ago that helped them become great.
I agree with you that corruption is rampant in many African governments and that has to be considered. But that doesn't mean foreign aid in of itself is a bad thing. Just like with Israel, foreign aid can result in the U.S. creating its own powerful ally and further American interests. Imagine if the U.S, creates such a country in Africa; yet another strategic area for military and trade.
Is the U.S. obligated to give aid? No. Can it benefit the U.S. in the long run? Absolutely. If you weren't aware, both China and Russia are investing heavily in African nations in attempt to widen their influence:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-04-08/next-africa-russia-steps-up-its-courtship-of-fragile-states
Russia Steps Up its Courtship of Fragile African States
Africa has many elements needed that power today's technology which China has realized and worked to to acquire:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2yl88wd3lo
If for no other reason than self-interest, the U.S. would benefit from continued aid.
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@T-R-O-L-L saidSee this article:
@moonbus
Are the people in those countries too stupid to help themselves?
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2yl88wd3lo
You probably don't give much thought to the device that you're reading this article on, as long as it looks good and keeps working.
But the elements that power and run it are the subject of an escalating struggle between the world's two biggest economies - the US and China - with African countries in the eye of the storm.
U.S. aid is not entirely one-way. The U.S. benefits from access to vital resources used in modern technology. Getting into the good graces of African countries to better acquire these resources also benefits America.
@vivify saidIs there something I posted that caused you to conclude that I believe all aid is bad? China and Russia can aid whoever they like, and that that has nothing to do with the US. All govts choose who to assist and who to ignore.
From the American Jewish Commitee:
https://www.ajc.org/news/what-every-american-should-know-about-us-aid-to-israel
[quote]Why is U.S. aid critical to Israel?
Israel’s enemies (nations and nonstate actors) have repeatedly tried and failed to destroy the world’s only Jewish state and eliminate its Jewish population. America has helped safeguard Israel’s survival ...[text shortened]... x2yl88wd3lo
If for no other reason than self-interest, the U.S. would benefit from continued aid.
I agree with the US for reducing USAID to some African countries while still maintaining aid to countries like Israel.
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@Rajk999 saidDecisions influenced by a singular president who thinks it's smart to raise tariffs on over 60 countries including America's most important allies doesn't mean the "government" disagrees.
Clearly the US government disagrees.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2yl88wd3lo
There's a reason why the U.S. overtook China as Africa's largest donor and it's not altruism. The government agreed for decades it was indeed a beneficial move.
@vivify saidWhatever you say. The electorate voted in their choice which has a different foreign policy. Trump had explicitly stated his intention to promote a campaign of 'America First', and one of these things was to drastically reduce USAID to many African countries. His reasons were the ones I posted above .. it was all leading to dependency and entitled behaviour. So far there seems to be no disadvantage to the US. African countries need to get their act together.
Decisions influenced by a singular president who thinks it's smart to raise tariffs on its most important allies doesn't mean the "government" disagrees.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2yl88wd3lo
There's a reason why the U.S. overtook China as Africa's largest donor and it's not altruism. The government agreed for decades it was indeed a beneficial move.
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@Rajk999 saidYou already know Trump has a long history of ignoring the government, like on Covid or Russian election interference (most infamously, siding with Putin on live TV in Helsinki). Trump's decisions have nothing to do with what the government actually recommends.
Whatever you say. The electorate voted in their choice which has a different foreign policy. Trump had explicitly stated his intention to promote a campaign of 'America First', and one of these things was to drastically reduce USAID to many African countries. His reasons were the ones I posted above .. it was all leading to dependency and entitled behaviour. So far there seems to be no disadvantage to the US. African countries need to get their act together.
Trump's actions don't match his words. Raising tariffs and making life more expensive is not putting "America first". Neither is weakening America by straining relations with NATO, the most powerful military alliance on earth. Or using taxpayer money to pay Clean Energy so they don't create new businesses and jobs. Or cutting Medicaid, cutting SNAP benefits....
The list can go on all day.
The issue is that as a right-winger you're obligated to defend him no matter how much he harms his own citizens.
@vivify saidI guess in the next election the Republican Party will be outvoted and USAID will be back to normal and all will be well with the world. Have some patience. Americans voted in the man and they can vote him out. However, I think you will be again disappointed come next US election.
You already know Trump has a long history of ignoring what the government, like on Covid or Russian election interference (most infamously, siding with Putin on live TV in Helsinki)..
Trump's decisions have nothing to do with what the government actually recommends. HIs actions don't match his words. Raising tariffs and making life more expensive is not putting "America ...[text shortened]... a right-winger you're obligated to defend his actions no matter how much the harm his own citizens.
@Rajk999 saidGiven we reelected a convicted felon who tried to overthrow the U.S. government based on lies that 60 courts rejected included SCOTUS, I'm sure I will be disappointed.,
I guess in the next election the Republican Party will be outvoted and USAID will be back to normal and all will be well with the world. Have some patience. Americans voted in the man and they can vote him out. However, I think you will be again disappointed come next US election.
@vivify saidhere we go again...name the felonies?
Given we reelected a convicted felon who tried to overthrow the U.S. government based on lies that 60 courts rejected included SCOTUS, I'm sure I will be disappointed.,
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@Mott-The-Hoople said34 counts of business fraud in order to cover up hush money payments about cheating on his wife with a porn star and to hide election violations.
here we go again...name the felonies?