Trump Administration Cancels 83% of USAID Programs in Major Overhaul

Secretary of State Marco Rubio cites misuse of funds and ideological agendas as key reasons for the cuts, impacting thousands of foreign aid contracts.

The U.S. government has terminated 5,200 USAID programs, representing 83% of its foreign aid contracts, following a six-week review led by the Department of Government Efficiency.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the canceled programs often misused taxpayer funds and, in some cases, harmed U.S. national interests or pushed ideological agendas abroad.
Examples of controversial spending include millions allocated to LGBTQI+ initiatives, DEI projects, and reproductive health programs in countries with differing cultural values or limited need for such interventions.
Critics argue that foreign aid has frequently fostered dependency, undermined local governance, and failed to address genuine humanitarian needs effectively.
The remaining 18% of USAID programs will be streamlined under the State Department to focus on projects aligned with U.S. interests and transparent humanitarian goals.