Bush, Obama Join Forces To Criticize Closing Of USAID By Trump
Former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, joined by U2 frontman Bono, appeared via video conference on Monday to deliver heartfelt messages to employees of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as the agency closed its doors after more than six decades of global operations.
The event marked a somber moment for many career staff members who spent years administering foreign aid programs under both Republican and Democratic administrations. During the private videoconference, the three guests reflected on USAID’s legacy and voiced concern over its dissolution.
Obama called the closure “a tragedy” and “a colossal mistake,” emphasizing that USAID’s humanitarian work represented some of the most impactful efforts undertaken by the United States worldwide. He urged future leaders to recognize the agency’s importance and the value of its mission.
Bush, typically measured in his public commentary, described the move as a personal loss, noting that his administration’s landmark global AIDS relief initiative, which saved an estimated 25 million lives, had been one of USAID’s defining achievements. “You’ve shown the strength of America through your compassion,” Bush told the departing staff.
Bono, long known for his global activism, shared a poem written in honor of the agency’s work, commending its employees for their service and warning of the potential humanitarian consequences following its closure.