See every side of every news story
Published loading...Updated

Bush, Obama, Bono Bid Farewell to USAID: ‘Colossal Mistake’

UNITED STATES, JUN 30 – Former Presidents Obama and Bush, along with Bono, condemned the Trump administration's cuts that ended 83% of USAID programs, risking millions of lives, including 25 million saved by PEPFAR.

  • Monday marked the final day that USAID operated as an independent six-decade-old humanitarian and development agency ordered to merge with the State Department on Tuesday.
  • This restructuring followed government-wide cuts targeting USAID, initiated by President Trump and supported by Elon Musk, who labeled it a fraud-ridden criminal organization.
  • Former Presidents Obama and Bush and humanitarian advocate Bono voiced strong criticism at an unofficial Monday gathering, highlighting USAID's lifesaving work and economic impact amid funding cuts.
  • Bush cited the AIDS and HIV program his administration created that saved 25 million lives, Obama called the dismantling a 'colossal mistake,' and Bono recited a poem mourning the agency's gutting.
  • The absorption of USAID signals a shift in U.S. foreign aid, but officials vowed proper oversight and predicted bipartisan recognition of USAID’s importance will eventually return.
Insights by Ground AI
Does this summary seem wrong?
Podcasts & Opinions

124 Articles

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 62% of the sources are Center
62% Center

Factuality 

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

Las Vegas Sun broke the news in Las Vegas, United States on Monday, June 30, 2025.
Sources are mostly out of (0)