A stunning bipartisan rebuke just rocked Washington, as former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush joined forces to condemn President Trump’s move to dismantle USAID—a decision they say could damage America’s global leadership for generations.
Unprecedented Alliance Against “America First”
In a moment that stunned even veteran insiders, Obama and Bush appeared together in a private video call with USAID staff, slamming Trump’s plan to scrap the decades-old humanitarian agency. The two former presidents, known for sharply different styles and politics, set aside their differences to defend U.S. global outreach, branding Trump’s decision a “colossal mistake.”
The mood turned emotional when U2 frontman Bono, a long-time global aid advocate and guest speaker, choked back tears during his remarks. “They called you crooks,” he said to staffers. “When you were the best of us.”
From Humanitarian Giant to “America First”
For decades, USAID represented a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy—delivering aid, promoting democracy, and responding to disasters in over 100 countries. It wasn’t just charity; it was strategic diplomacy.
Now, the Trump administration plans to fold parts of its mission into a new initiative called “America First”, housed under the State Department and focused strictly on domestic return. Critics argue this new direction will abandon vulnerable nations and shrink U.S. influence, opening the door for adversaries like China and Russia to fill the vacuum.
Donald Trump's 'colossal mistake' BLASTED by Obama and Bush during surprise reunion that left Bono in tears https://t.co/iZernCiJse
— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) July 2, 2025
“Gutting USAID is a travesty, and it’s a tragedy,” Obama said.
“Because it’s some of the most important work happening anywhere in the world.”
What’s Next?
The move to dismantle USAID has triggered backlash across diplomatic and humanitarian sectors. Major U.S. allies and NGOs warn the loss of American aid leadership could destabilize fragile regions, embolden extremist groups, and erode decades of goodwill.
In a rare joint farewell to USAID staff, former Presidents Obama and Bush openly criticised the Trump administration, with Obama calling its dismantling “a colossal mistake” https://t.co/bEzMK3aIEU pic.twitter.com/RkRv32DkvM
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) July 1, 2025
The timing of this bipartisan intervention couldn’t be more significant. With 2026 elections on the horizon and America’s global role under scrutiny, this high-profile rebuke of Trump’s policies could reignite debates about isolationism, leadership, and legacy.
Sources:
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