Summary
Elon Musk announced that he and Trump are shutting down USAID, bypassing Congress’s authority over federal spending.
Musk claimed Trump fully supports the move, though Trump has only criticized USAID without explicitly confirming its closure.
The White House has not commented. The administration has already placed USAID officials on leave and reviewed its funding.
Critics argue the move violates federal law, setting up a potential legal battle.
It’s probably both. Trump is an idiot, but a malicious one, and he’s very easily manipulated by malign forces both inside and outside the USA. The combination of ego, insecurity, greed, stupidity, financial vulnerability and sexual indiscretion make him the perfect target for anyone wanting to control him. Many of these things (minus the financial bit) are true of Musk too.