Archive · 18 Dec 2025
Trump Aide Criticizes USAID Dismantling in Vanity Fair
Susie Wiles, a top aide to President Donald Trump, recently spoke to Vanity Fair magazine about how the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was quickly shut down.
She was surprised and upset because USAID does important work helping people around the world.
Elon Musk, who was helping the Trump administration, decided to close USAID, fire its workers, and then try to rebuild it.
This caused big problems, like stopping life-saving food and medical help in countries like Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria.
Some children even died because they couldn't get the help they needed.
Trump believes the U.S. spends too much on foreign aid and wants other countries to help more.
However, the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, says no one died because of the U.S. cuts.
Susie Wiles, Trump's top aide, criticized the rapid dismantling of USAID in a Vanity Fair interview.
Elon Musk, acting as a Trump aide, shut down USAID, firing employees and suspending grants.
The halt in USAID funding disrupted life-saving aid, causing shortages and reported deaths in several countries.
Trump's 'America First' policy led to a review of foreign aid, with the administration seeking to reduce U.S. spending.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio denies that any deaths resulted from the U.S. cuts to aid.
- Who
- Susie Wiles, Trump's top aide, and Elon Musk
- What
- Criticism of the dismantling of USAID and its impact on humanitarian aid
- When
- Interview published on December 16, 2023, with events occurring after Trump's inauguration on January 20
- Where
- United States and various countries receiving USAID funding
- Why
- Trump's 'America First' policy and Musk's efforts to shrink the federal government
Critics of USAID Dismantling
Supporters of USAID Dismantling
Impact on Humanitarian Aid
Critics of USAID Dismantling
Critics argue that the rapid dismantling of USAID has caused significant disruptions in life-saving aid, leading to shortages and reported deaths in several countries.
Supporters of USAID Dismantling
Supporters believe that the U.S. spends too much on foreign aid and that other countries should contribute more.
Effectiveness of USAID
Critics of USAID Dismantling
Critics, including Susie Wiles, argue that USAID plays a crucial role in providing essential services and that its dismantling is detrimental.
Supporters of USAID Dismantling
Supporters, including Elon Musk, believe that the agency needs to be restructured to be more efficient and aligned with Trump's 'America First' policy.
- Aide
- Susie Wiles
- Agency
- USAID
- Billionaire Involved
- Elon Musk
- Date of Interview
- December 16, 2023
- Impact
- Halting of life-saving aid
- Countries Affected
- Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria
- Secretary of State
- Marco Rubio
