In a surprising turn, Elon Musk shared that President Trump is on board with shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development (U.S.A.I.D.), the nation’s top agency for global humanitarian aid. This revelation adds to the ongoing debate about the agency’s future under the Trump administration.

During a live event on his social media platform X, Musk said he discussed U.S.A.I.D. extensively with Trump. “I actually checked with him a few times,” Musk explained. “I said, ‘Are you sure?’ ‘Yes.’ So we’re shutting it down.” This comes after Trump called U.S.A.I.D.’s leadership “radical lunatics” in remarks to reporters on Sunday.

U.S.A.I.D. plays a crucial role in funding health services, disaster relief, and anti-poverty initiatives worldwide. In 2023, the agency spent $38.1 billion—less than 1% of the federal budget. Yet, the Trump administration has already made moves to reduce its impact, suspending senior officials and cutting hundreds of contractor jobs.

There’s been speculation in Washington about merging U.S.A.I.D. into the State Department in a much smaller capacity. Meanwhile, Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” has been granted significant authority to trim government spending. Musk has been vocal about his disdain for U.S.A.I.D., recently labeling it “a criminal organization” without providing evidence.

The potential shutdown raises concerns among humanitarian groups globally, as U.S. aid programs face increasing uncertainty. What happens next remains to be seen, but the stakes for international aid are undeniably high.