Story perspectives

Trump Staff Celebrates Drastic USAID Cuts, Experts Warn of Crisis

12/16/2025

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump staffers celebrated eliminating 90% of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) work with a cake.
A ProPublica report found that inexperienced aides initiated the cuts and affected aid programs in South Sudan.
More than 5,000 USAID programs were canceled, leaving under 1,000 operational and delaying health funding.
Experts warn cuts could cause over 14 million deaths by 2030.
South Sudan reports nearly 1,600 cholera deaths.

History

Historical Context

In 2018, the Trump administration's "America First" policy led to significant cuts in USAID funding, reducing operational programs in South Sudan from over 5,000 to fewer than 1,000. This drastic reduction has exacerbated health crises, with experts warning of over 14 million potential deaths by 2030 due to funding delays, highlighted by a cholera outbreak that has already claimed nearly 1,600 lives.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump staffers celebrated eliminating 90% of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) work with a cake.
A ProPublica report found that inexperienced aides initiated the cuts and affected aid programs in South Sudan.
More than 5,000 USAID programs were canceled, leaving under 1,000 operational and delaying health funding.
Experts warn cuts could cause over 14 million deaths by 2030.
South Sudan reports nearly 1,600 cholera deaths.

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