Summary

Elon Musk announced the closure of USAID during a DOGE update on X, calling it “a ball of worms” and “beyond repair.”

The decision follows reports of internal conflicts over DOGE’s involvement in restricted areas. Trump backed the move, criticizing USAID leadership.

An internal email instructed non-essential staff to stay home. The Trump administration pressures USAID to align with its America First agenda.

Critics see Musk’s remarks as informal and conspiracy-driven.

  • @AA5B
    link
    169 hours ago

    It’s the supercharger team issue all over again - if someone has the gall to say no, throw a tantrum and fire them all. We’ll see if anyone wants to be hired back

    The supercharger team was a long term dominance item that would be key to the business so you don’t shut them down during high growth. In this case it’s probably as simple as someone taking their responsibilities to the government and country seriously. Access to confidential data is not a good place to shortcut your process

  • Bo7a
    link
    fedilink
    6912 hours ago

    Everything is always beyond repair to this fuckstick. I think he may just be horrible at everything.

    • @dovah
      link
      3411 hours ago

      “Repairability” of anything is often correlated with skill level. Everything is beyond repair if you don’t know what you’re doing.

      • @CharlesDarwin
        link
        English
        44 hours ago

        Very great way to put it. Applies in so many contexts. I see the exact same kind of thing at work - some seagull manager cannot understand an existing thing, but wants to effect some kind of change, often will insist on replacing it.

        By the time the impact of their stupid decision starts to hit, they’ll be long gone…probably being paid even more extravagantly…

      • @pahlimur
        link
        8
        edit-2
        6 hours ago

        Never thought of repairability this way. Weirdly helped with some anxiety I’ve been having recently. Thank you random internet person.

      • @grue
        link
        English
        79 hours ago

        And also if you hate it and want an excuse to throw it out.

  • @Sanctus
    link
    English
    8914 hours ago

    An unelected official is seizing control of our government departments and transforming them how he sees fit. Where have I seen this before? Hmmmm

  • @withabeard
    link
    English
    11214 hours ago

    The party that wants to ban abortion to “save the children” has just condemned, quite literally millions of, children around the world to slow and agonising deaths from entirely treatable illnesses.

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          1311 hours ago

          Which, hard to tell while unborn, but it doesn’t matter because it’s really about controlling women.

    • @Zachariah
      link
      813 hours ago

      “save the children fetuses”

      • Rhaedas
        link
        fedilink
        912 hours ago

        Not even about the fetus. It’s about control.

        • tabris
          link
          710 hours ago

          Specifically, control of women, their bodies and their freedom.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    14115 hours ago

    This is from another article about this situation yesterday:

    To back up his claim, Musk shared a summation of a relevant statute compiled by Grok, an artificial intelligence service run by his social media app, X.

    Just to show you how fucking stupid this all is.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      7214 hours ago

      They’re speedrunning dismantling the government, while everyone is staring in disbelief, muttering “This can’t be possible, surely they aren’t allowed to do this?”

      Well, they don’t care. And it works, cause all the “watchdogs” are overwhelmed by their speed.

  • @Hobbes_Dent
    link
    8415 hours ago

    Who is this guy anyway?

    Serious question for America. Maybe if you write it down it’ll stick.

    • @FiremanEdsRevenge
      link
      15515 hours ago

      An illegal nazi immigrant edge lord from Africa with daddy issues.

    • @Ledivin
      link
      2415 hours ago

      The one that bought the country

  • @CharlesDarwin
    link
    English
    2714 hours ago

    Um, I know we are beyond any kind of laws and norms here, but in their fictional universe/head canon, how can an agency that is not a real government agency shut down a real agency?

    • @grue
      link
      English
      89 hours ago

      By being more willing to inflict violence than the people trying to defend it.

    • Kairos
      link
      fedilink
      813 hours ago

      “Can” and “may” are two different words.

  • @NocturnalMorning
    link
    39
    edit-2
    15 hours ago

    He doesn’t have any authority. Just ignore him and tell him to gtfo of the building.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      1212 hours ago

      He doesn’t have the authority, but he does have the power.

      Do not ignore him, because he is already doing it piece by piece.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      2714 hours ago

      No. He very much has the authority and backing of his puppet in the white house and the entire magat complex as a result.

      Just look at USAID and the like.

    • @dragontamer
      link
      English
      1414 hours ago

      Trump is backing Musk. So I USAID is gone overnight.

      Maybe there will be some court cases but Trump owns security and Musk is in charge of personnel now.

      • @NocturnalMorning
        link
        512 hours ago

        Sure, but congress is in charge of changes to these agencies. A president and his goons can’t just wipe one off the books bcz he feels like it. It’s called checks and balances for a reason.

        • Rhaedas
          link
          fedilink
          1612 hours ago

          It’s called checks and balances for a reason.

          Should be kicking in anytime now. Any…time. Hmmm. Anyone seems some checks and balances laying around?

        • @dragontamer
          link
          English
          2
          edit-2
          9 hours ago

          No.

          The President and his cabinet is put in charge of these agencies by Congress.

          Congress is too slow to lead agencies. The design of our system is for executives to lead, not committees.

          • @NocturnalMorning
            link
            36 hours ago

            I’m fairly certain the president can’t simply dissolve an agency carte Blanca without any outside input.

            • @dragontamer
              link
              English
              23 hours ago

              Or else what?

              If there’s no enforcement mechanism, then yeah the President can do it.