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Closure of USAID Sparks Bipartisan Backlash: Bush, Obama, and Bono Condemn Trump Administration's Move

Washington, D.C. – The Trump administration's decision to dissolve the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is triggering a wave of bipartisan outrage and international concern. In a private videoconference on Monday, former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, joined by U2 frontman Bono, addressed USAID employees with words of support—and sharp criticism of the administration’s actions.

While the official line from the Trump White House paints the agency as a bloated, ineffective bureaucracy, critics argue the move is short-sighted, dangerous, and morally wrong.

Obama: “It’s a Tragedy and a Travesty”

In a pre-recorded video message, Barack Obama praised USAID’s global development work and called the agency’s closure “a colossal mistake.”

“Gutting USAID is a travesty, and it’s a tragedy,” Obama said. “It’s some of the most important work happening anywhere in the world. Sooner or later, leaders on both sides of the aisle will realize how much you are needed.”

Obama’s remarks come amid increasing tension between the former president and Trump’s second-term agenda, particularly as Trump’s sweeping “America First” policy gains momentum.

Bush Breaks Silence: “You Showed the Strength of America”

George W. Bush, who has largely avoided criticizing Trump publicly, broke his silence to deliver a heartfelt tribute to the agency’s decades of humanitarian work—particularly USAID’s support for his PEPFAR initiative, a global HIV/AIDS relief program credited with saving over 25 million lives.

“You’ve showed the great strength of America through your work — your good heart,” Bush said. “Is it in our national interest that 25 million people who would have died now live? I think it is. And so do you.”

Bush’s endorsement marked a rare bipartisan alignment with Obama and Bono, highlighting the long-standing consensus about the role of USAID in promoting global health and economic development.

Bono: “They Called You Crooks, When You Were the Best of Us”

Musician and activist Bono, a longtime advocate for development aid, read a poem dedicated to USAID staff, lamenting the agency’s shuttering and what he called a betrayal of humanitarian values.

“They called you crooks, when you were the best of us,” Bono said, calling the move a threat to global health and stability. He warned that the closure would likely lead to increased deaths in underserved regions, particularly in Africa and South Asia.

Bono has been a vocal critic of Trump since 2016, once calling the former president “potentially the worst idea that ever happened to America.”

USAID Dissolved Amid Accusations of Mismanagement

USAID, created in 1961 under President John F. Kennedy, has long been the primary vehicle for U.S. foreign aid, development, and disaster response. However, it became the target of intense scrutiny under the Trump administration.

In February 2025, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by entrepreneur Elon Musk, launched an investigation into USAID’s spending practices. Musk labeled the agency “a viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America,” triggering a political firestorm.

By July 1, USAID’s programs were officially absorbed by the U.S. State Department under the direction of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also serving as acting USAID administrator.

Rubio Defends Shutdown: “Efficiency Over Idealism”

In a lengthy memo released Tuesday, Rubio defended the administration’s decision, citing decades of what he described as ineffective spending and worsening instability.

“Development objectives have rarely been met, instability has often worsened, and anti-American sentiment has only grown,” Rubio wrote.
“This era of government-sanctioned inefficiency has officially come to an end. Foreign assistance programs that align with administration policies—and advance American interests—will now be delivered with more accountability and efficiency by the State Department.”

Rubio also accused USAID of enabling a “globe-spanning NGO industrial complex” that, in his view, had lost alignment with core U.S. interests.

Strong Words from Trump Critics and Allies

Other longtime Trump critics joined the chorus. Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State, tweeted:

“In all my years of service, I found that foreign service officers and development professionals were among the most dedicated public servants I encountered. Their work saves lives and makes the world safer. Today, and every day, I stand with them.”

Notably, both Bush and Obama had avoided directly commenting on many of Trump’s earlier policies. But the decision to shutter USAID appeared to be a tipping point—one that even brought together ideological rivals in defense of American foreign aid.

What’s Next for Global Development?

While the State Department has pledged to continue delivering foreign assistance, critics argue that the dissolution of USAID may signal a shift from humanitarian priorities toward geopolitical utility.

The Trump administration says its approach will focus on “America First” strategic interests, but development experts fear that without USAID’s independent oversight and mission-driven focus, millions in vulnerable regions could be left without aid.

Final Thoughts

The closure of USAID marks a profound shift in U.S. foreign policy and global leadership. While the Trump administration frames the decision as a cost-cutting reform to improve accountability, critics warn that dismantling the world’s largest humanitarian aid agency could weaken America’s influence abroad, destabilize fragile regions, and diminish the nation’s moral authority.

In the words of George W. Bush:

“It is in our national interest that the people we help live, not die. And that’s not just policy. That’s American values.”