President Donald Trump is Making a 'Colossal Mistake': Former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama Join Forces to Slam USAID Shutdown

President Donald Trump is Making a 'Colossal Mistake': Former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama Join Forces to Slam USAID Shutdown

[Washington, July 3, 2025] — . Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, along with Irish rock star Bono, have launched a rare joint attack on President Donald Trump’s administration for its decision to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). In a video call on Monday addressing outgoing USAID staff, the trio strongly criticized the move and blamed the Trump administration for dismantling what they described as one of America’s most important global institutions.

Obama’s Remarks
“This is a heartbreaking decision. It’s a tragedy,” said former President Barack Obama. “USAID managed some of the most important programs in the world. Shutting it down is a colossal mistake. Soon, leaders from both parties will come to realize just how vital your work truly was.”

Bush Breaks Silence
Former President George W. Bush, who typically refrains from openly criticizing Trump, joined the call and said, “Closing USAID marks the end of a major chapter in our efforts to fight HIV/AIDS, a program that saved over 25 million lives. You have represented the best of America — the power of service from the heart.”

Bono’s Poetic Protest
Longtime USAID supporter and U2 frontman Bono recited a poem during the call and said,

“They called you thieves,
But you were our best.”

A Legacy Undone: USAID’s Closure
Established by President John F. Kennedy, USAID was created to provide economic assistance to developing nations. However, during Trump’s second term, the agency came under scrutiny for alleged corruption and inefficiency.

As part of the administration’s sweeping Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative — aimed at cutting costs and increasing effectiveness — USAID was labeled a “toxic hub of radical leftist Marxists.” DOGE’s head, Elon Musk, issued harsh criticism of the agency’s operations.

As of July 1, USAID’s functions have been officially transferred to the U.S. Department of State. Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained the decision, stating:
“In the post–Cold War era, USAID spent vast amounts of taxpayer dollars building a global NGO-industrial complex with little return. That era of government-sanctioned inefficiency is over. From now on, the State Department will directly manage development efforts aligned with America’s national interests.”

Hillary Clinton Responds
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“In my experience, our development professionals and Foreign Service officers abroad were among the most committed public servants. Their work saves lives and makes the world safer. Today, and every day, I stand with them.”

The Trump Administration’s Cost-Cutting Agenda
The decision to dismantle USAID came after DOGE-led investigations in early 2025 revealed widespread financial waste. In a March address to Congress, President Trump announced that DOGE had identified $22 billion in government waste.

Trump cited the following examples of alleged “wasteful spending”:

• $45 million on diversity and inclusion scholarships in Burma

• $40 million on social integration of migrant communities

• $8 million for LGBTQI+ initiatives in Lesotho, Africa

• $60 million to empower Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities in Central America

• And $8 million “to turn mice transgender”

The move has sparked outrage from across the political and humanitarian spectrum, as the world watches the dismantling of a key pillar of America’s global engagement.