Elon Musk Claims Africa Deaths Decreased After Aid Cuts

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, claimed on Tuesday that deaths across Africa have decreased following substantial cuts to U.S. foreign aid. He linked this trend to the termination of programs he alleged contributed to instability.

Musk's comments came in response to criticism regarding the efficiency of U.S. government aid, particularly the significant reduction in funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

The U.S. humanitarian fund is projected to fall from $14 billion in 2024 to $3.7 billion in 2025. Health experts and aid organizations have warned that these funding cuts could have severe humanitarian consequences, with a study published in the Lancet projecting that the cuts could contribute to 14 million deaths globally by 2030, including 4.5 million children.

Musk shared mortality data from several African countries, indicating no detectable rise in deaths following the funding reductions. He argued that prior USAID activities contributed to violent revolutions aimed at installing leftist regimes.