El entrepreneur Elon Musk has pledged to assist former President Donald Trump in reducing government spending. In his role as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk has launched a high-profile campaign against the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Seeking to eliminate what he deems "unnecessary" public expenses, Musk has turned to his social media platform X (previously known as Twitter) to enlist users in creating an extensive list of "the bad things" that NED, a private U.S. organization funded by Congress, has done. NED is known for providing aid to NGOs and entities advocating for human rights and press freedom in non-democratic countries.
Currently, NED handles $362 million in government funds reported to the IRS, along with $1.6 billion in active grants. Musk has also been outspoken about USAID, labeling it a "criminal organization" and declaring, "it’s time for it to go." He clearly expressed his stance on the foreign aid agency, claiming, "USAID is a bunch of worms. There are no apples. And when there are no apples, you just have to get rid of it all. That's why it needs to be eliminated. It can't be fixed," as he shared on X.
Not surprisingly, following these harsh remarks, USAID's website and its X account have vanished. Musk's criticisms have been amplified by his loyal followers, including the X account @DataRepublican. This account focuses on analyzing and disseminating information about U.S. federal government spending, electoral data, and maps. Elon Musk has endorsed this account, stating it is "worth following."
On February 2, @DataRepublican questioned the suitability of politicians associated with NED, explicitly naming Indiana Republican Senator Todd Young. Young recently joined NED's board and has been accused of a potential conflict of interest due to his Senate responsibilities and his opposition to the confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard, another Republican who supports dismantling NED.
Impact on Cuban Media and NGOs
Last week, the Trump administration ordered a temporary suspension of all grant and loan programs financed by federal agencies for foreign aid. This decision has significantly impacted independent media and NGOs working towards democratization in Cuba. Many of these organizations are still grappling with the implications of this decision, which places their operations and funding sources in a precarious situation.
The White House temporarily reversed this measure after it affected housing and healthcare programs for vulnerable Americans, but uncertainty remains about its impact on certain projects concerning Cuba. Effectively, the Trump administration has dismantled USAID, integrating it under the State Department's control. As of last Saturday, USAID's official website (usaid.gov) went offline.
Since returning to the White House on January 20, 2025, Donald Trump has initiated a strategy to exert maximum pressure on the Cuban regime, reversing previous relaxations and reintroducing economic and immigration sanctions. Supported by key figures like Marco Rubio, the new approach from Washington aims to cut off funding sources for the Castro regime, limit its regional influence, and bolster support for the opposition. Under this framework, the administration has implemented a series of measures designed to restrict the regime's access to foreign currency, increase its international isolation, and weaken its repressive capabilities.
Key Questions on Elon Musk's Actions Against NED and USAID
Why is Elon Musk targeting NED and USAID?
Elon Musk is targeting NED and USAID as part of his effort to assist in reducing what he considers unnecessary government spending. He has criticized these organizations for their use of public funds and seeks to eliminate them.
What impact could these actions have on Cuban media and NGOs?
The actions could significantly disrupt the operations and funding of independent media and NGOs in Cuba that rely on foreign aid for their democratization efforts.
How has the Trump administration's approach to Cuba changed?
The Trump administration has increased pressure on the Cuban regime by reinstating economic and immigration sanctions, aiming to reduce its influence and support the opposition.