Alright, folks, let’s talk about USAID, the global aid program that’s supposed to be serving U.S. interests but, according to National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, has been bleeding money into inefficiency and, in some cases, outright counterproductive efforts. Waltz took to NBC’s Meet the Press to set the record straight: cutting back on USAID’s bloated spending isn’t about retreating—it’s about making sure American dollars actually work for America.
Now, of course, critics jumped on this, warning that reducing USAID’s budget could allow China and Russia to expand their influence unchecked. But Waltz wasn’t having any of it. “No, absolutely not,” he fired back when asked if the cuts would give an edge to America’s adversaries. And let’s be real here—does anyone honestly believe that every dollar spent by USAID is going toward strengthening America’s position in the world? Waltz sure doesn’t.
According to him, too many of these programs have gone off the rails, funding projects that have nothing to do with countering China or securing U.S. interests. Instead, they’ve turned into a bureaucratic cash bonanza where pennies on the dollar actually reach those in need, while the rest gets eaten up by layers of contractors, subcontractors, and local middlemen.
It’s not about stopping foreign aid altogether—it’s about making sure it actually serves the American taxpayer, rather than being a blank check for whatever projects happen to be in vogue.
.@MikeWaltz47 on USAID: All too often, these missions and these programs are not in line with strategic U.S. interests… Number two, only cents on the dollar actually makes it to people in need. pic.twitter.com/my76zaCF5L
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 9, 2025
And Waltz isn’t just talking theory here—he’s seen the waste firsthand. Back when he was deployed in the Middle East, he saw a USAID-funded radio station proudly displaying a “Built by America” plaque. But guess what was actually being broadcast? Pro-Iranian, anti-American propaganda, courtesy of a black-turbaned mullah. That’s right, U.S. dollars were literally being used to spread hate against America. And when he pointed this out to the USAID officer in charge? The response was basically, “Hey, we just build radio stations. That’s not our problem.”
Well, that is a problem.
And it’s exactly why Waltz, Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and even Elon Musk (yes, that Elon Musk) are saying enough is enough. Foreign aid isn’t supposed to be a feel-good giveaway program—it’s supposed to be a strategic tool to advance U.S. interests. And if it’s not doing that? Then it’s time for a major overhaul.
Now, does this mean the U.S. is pulling back and letting China and Russia run wild? Not even close. In fact, Waltz made it clear that the goal isn’t just to cut waste—it’s to realign America’s foreign aid strategy so that it directly supports U.S. policy. That means making sure funds are used efficiently and, most importantly, in ways that actually push back against adversaries rather than inadvertently helping them.