NOTE: VIDEO AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE.
In a rare display of bipartisan unity, former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama have joined forces to publicly criticize President Donald Trump’s recent reductions to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Their joint statement, released in a powerful video message, highlights deep concern over the future of key international programs that have been instrumental in advancing global health and stability.
Appearing alongside famed musician and longtime Trump critic Bono, Bush and Obama praised the dedication of USAID staffers who have been on the front lines of global humanitarian efforts. Bush, who has generally maintained a low profile in critiquing Trump since his 2016 election, broke his silence to lament the impact of the budget cuts on programs combating AIDS and HIV—initiatives he has long championed.
Addressing departing USAID employees, Bush acknowledged their profound impact, noting that these efforts have saved an estimated 25 million lives over the past two decades. “You’ve showed the great strength of America through your work — and that is your good heart,” he said. “Is it in our national interests that 25 million people who would have died now live? I think it is, and so do you.”
Obama echoed Bush’s sentiments, calling the decision to slash USAID’s funding “a travesty, and it’s a tragedy.” Speaking directly to the agency’s workers, he underscored the critical nature of their mission, describing USAID’s programs as “some of the most important work happening anywhere in the world.” He called Trump’s cuts “a colossal mistake,” warning that “sooner or later, leaders on both sides of the aisle will realize how much you are needed.”
The video comes amid growing alarm within the international aid community about the Trump administration’s broader approach to foreign assistance. Critics argue that the funding reductions not only undermine U.S. leadership in global health but also risk reversing decades of progress made in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.
Bono’s participation in the video added a cultural and activist voice to the bipartisan appeal, reinforcing the message that global health initiatives transcend partisan politics. Known for his advocacy on HIV/AIDS issues, Bono has frequently challenged Trump’s policies and mobilized support for sustained aid funding.
USAID, which operates in over 100 countries, has been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy for decades, providing disaster relief, development assistance, and support for health crises worldwide. The Trump administration’s decision to curtail its budget reflects a broader shift toward a more isolationist and inward-focused U.S. stance.
As the debate over the cuts continues, the joint statement from Bush, Obama, and Bono serves as a potent reminder of the bipartisan consensus that once surrounded America’s role as a global humanitarian leader. It signals ongoing resistance to policies that many fear could diminish the nation’s influence and moral standing abroad.
In the coming months, the future of USAID’s programs and personnel remains uncertain, but voices from across the political spectrum are making clear the stakes are high—not only for international aid recipients but for America’s place in the world.
PLAY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6WsobjwP6I
