In a podcast dialog that was made public Friday, U2 frontman Paul David Hewson, popularly recognized by the nickname Bono, advised Joe Rogan that over 300,000 folks have died globally resulting from extreme cuts to U.S. Company for Worldwide Improvement (USAID) funding led by Elon Musk’s Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE)—a declare the billionaire swiftly denied, calling Bono a “liar.”
What Occurred: Throughout an look on The Joe Rogan Expertise, Bono cited a report suggesting that greater than 300,000 folks, principally kids, have died from the abrupt funding freeze at USAID.
He stated that the cuts resulted in meals, water, and medical assist being stranded resulting from mass layoffs of key personnel.
“There’s meals rotting in boats, in warehouses—50,000 tons of it,” Bono stated. “The individuals who knew the codes, who have been liable for distributing that assist, have been fired. That is not America, is it?”
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The statistic comes from modeling completed by Brooke Nichols, an infectious illness skilled at Boston College.
Musk responded to Bono’s touch upon his social media platform, X, previously Twitter, saying“He is such a liar/i****,” including, “Zero folks have died!”
Why It is Vital: The USAID funds was slashed by over 80% earlier this yr, following Trump’s government order authorizing DOGE to chop $1 trillion in federal spending, reported The Instances.
USAID’s applications, which as soon as supported meals assist, clear water entry, and HIV remedy in over 120 international locations, have been largely dismantled or folded into the State Division.
At a congressional listening to final week, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) pressed Secretary of State Marco Rubio on whether or not anybody had died as a result of assist cuts, which Rubio known as a lie, reported the Washington Put up.
Rubio additionally known as the query “unfair” and pointed to different international locations’ assist reductions.
In the meantime, on Friday, Musk ended his contentious four-month stint as head of the DOGE.
Regardless of failing to ship the anticipated financial savings, President Donald Trump introduced him with a golden key to the White Home in a symbolic gesture of appreciation.
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Disclaimer: This content material was partially produced with the assistance of AI instruments and was reviewed and printed by Benzinga editors.
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