4 things to know about USAID’s funding of media outlets

By Ian M. Giatti, Christian Post Reporter
Friday, February 07, 2025

A flag outside of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) headquarters is seen on Feb. 03, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Elon Musk, tech billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), said in a social media post that he and U.S. President Doanld Trump will shut down the foreign assistance agency. — A flag outside of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) headquarters is seen on Feb. 03, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Elon Musk, tech billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), said in a social media post that he and U.S. President Doanld Trump will shut down the foreign assistance agency. | Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is in turmoil following President Donald Trump’s decision to freeze foreign aid. The agency's website is down, its X account suspended, and its headquarters closed, leaving employees wondering what the future holds.

Earlier this week, Elon Musk, appointed by Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, called USAID a “criminal organization.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also named acting director of USAID, signaling that the agency's operations could be moved to the State Department. The shake-up marks a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign aid policy, particularly in matters related to media funding.

Here are four media facts to know about USAID.

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