Story perspectives

Elon Musk Shuts USAID, 4.5 Million Child Deaths Loom

6/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

Elon Musk, via the Department of Government Efficiency, shut down USAID, ending its health and aid work.
Nicholas Kristof listed four children who died after USAID services stopped, prompting Rep. Ro Khanna to warn Musk could face lawsuits over an estimated 4.5 million child deaths linked to the cuts.
Refugees International and the Center for Global Development say U.S. aid fell from $14 billion to $3.7 billion, a 58 % cut that closed 1,300 clinics.

History

Historical Context

Created in 1961 to counter Soviet influence, USAID survived a 1995 Clinton-era budget cut that slashed funding by 15 %. In 2025 Elon Musk’s team proposed a 58 % reduction—from $14 billion to $3.7 billion—mirroring that precedent, while a Lancet study warns the cuts could cause up to 14 million preventable deaths by 2030.

1 of 2

Story summary

Elon Musk, via the Department of Government Efficiency, shut down USAID, ending its health and aid work.
Nicholas Kristof listed four children who died after USAID services stopped, prompting Rep. Ro Khanna to warn Musk could face lawsuits over an estimated 4.5 million child deaths linked to the cuts.
Refugees International and the Center for Global Development say U.S. aid fell from $14 billion to $3.7 billion, a 58 % cut that closed 1,300 clinics.

1 / 2