In brief
The controversial move has been welcomed by strongmen in Russia, Hungary, and El Salvador, who see U.S.A.I.D. as a threat to their rule.
In a surprising turn of events, the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (U.S.A.I.D.) under the Trump administration has garnered praise from authoritarian leaders around the world. Elon Musk, a loud supporter of this initiative, famously stated he was “feeding U.S.A.I.D. into the wood chipper,” capturing the sentiment of many who endorse the “America First” policy.Dmitri A. Medvedev, the former President of Russia and current deputy chairman of the country’s security council, commended the actions taken from the other side of the globe, remarking that it was a “smart move.” Russia has long seen U.S.A.I.D. as a challenge to its political hegemony, especially after the agency’s operations in the country were forced to shut down in 2012.In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, celebrated Musk's initiative, labeling the U.S.A.I.D funding as “globalist.” His political director expressed joy over the dismantling, which Musk publicly endorsed by sharing the statement on social media.Further south, El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele echoed these sentiments, claiming that U.S.A.I.D. funds had been misappropriated, benefiting political action groups and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that threaten his administration. Bukele's remarks reflect his method of governance, often reminiscent of authoritarian control, as he works to suppress dissent amid escalating gang violence in the country.While protests in Washington gathered supporters of the aid agency, these foreign leaders celebrate what they perceive as a reduction in U.S. influence, which they have viewed as an omnipresent threat to their regimes. The dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. underscores a significant shift in international relations, where authoritarian leaders find common ground in the disruption of American foreign aid efforts.
