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Omaha Steve

(106,066 posts)
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 04:20 PM 7 hrs ago

Bush, Obama and a tearful Bono fault Trump's gutting of USAID on agency's last day

Source: AP

By ELLEN KNICKMEYER
Updated 2:31 PM CDT, June 30, 2025

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush delivered rare open criticism of the Trump administration — and singer Bono held back tears as he recited a poem — in an emotional video farewell on Monday with staffers of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Monday was the last day as an independent agency for the six-decade-old humanitarian and development organization, created by President John F. Kennedy as a peaceful way of promoting U.S. national security by boosting goodwill and prosperity abroad.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered USAID absorbed into the State Department on Tuesday.

The former presidents and Bono spoke during a videoconference with thousands in the USAID community, which was billed as a closed-press event to allow political leaders and others privacy for sometimes angry and often teary remarks. Parts of the video were shared with The Associated Press.



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/obama-bono-bush-usaid-trump-950f7708c01502c759f1c10524752b8e

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Bush, Obama and a tearful Bono fault Trump's gutting of USAID on agency's last day (Original Post) Omaha Steve 7 hrs ago OP
This is all so crazy. And the way Big Orange has his followers cheering this on after D. Spaulding 7 hrs ago #1
Bush criticized him? This is a first in 10 years. question everything 7 hrs ago #2
I'd like to see a video of that, if anyone runs across a link. D. Spaulding 7 hrs ago #3
I've searched over hours. There are no YouTube (Google) video clips of the actual video conference. ancianita 2 hrs ago #15
Musk called this program a, "criminal enterprise." Bayard 7 hrs ago #4
Yet Musk is becoming a folk hero in some parts of DU. Brenda 5 hrs ago #10
I haven't seen that from anyone here..... Bayard 2 min ago #19
This message was self-deleted by its author Bayard 2 min ago #20
This message was self-deleted by its author Bayard 7 hrs ago #5
A sad day maccafan 7 hrs ago #6
At last we hear from Dubya. Gimpyknee 5 hrs ago #7
Bono is number one! JoseBalow 5 hrs ago #8
Bush should shut his pie hole. . . . BigDemVoter 5 hrs ago #9
No shit about Shrub. Brenda 5 hrs ago #11
They are right. This totally sucks. No reason. Minimal "savings." Diminished world reach. Not good. n/t Evolve Dammit 4 hrs ago #12
I would love it if Bono got the Nobel. hamsterjill 4 hrs ago #13
Wouldn't that just send the Fascist Felon into a huge snit? Dulcinea 2 hrs ago #14
I echo what you've said. I really respect Bono. hamsterjill 1 hr ago #17
We need this out for ALL to see!!! MyOwnPeace 2 hrs ago #16
What happened to the Supreme Court's recent reiteration HighFired49 1 hr ago #18

D. Spaulding

(286 posts)
1. This is all so crazy. And the way Big Orange has his followers cheering this on after
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 04:25 PM
7 hrs ago

inspiring in them such animosity toward the rest of the world, and to the poor.
I feel like I'm stuck in a moment and I can't get out of it.

ancianita

(40,790 posts)
15. I've searched over hours. There are no YouTube (Google) video clips of the actual video conference.
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 09:13 PM
2 hrs ago

Could be they didn't upload any segments, but also could be Google, hard to say.

Bayard

(25,745 posts)
4. Musk called this program a, "criminal enterprise."
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 04:36 PM
7 hrs ago

I'm sure because its saved millions of lives in other countries, promoting good will for our country. Sliding it over to the State Dept., and calling it, "America First," tells you exactly what this admin has in mind.

Brenda

(1,668 posts)
10. Yet Musk is becoming a folk hero in some parts of DU.
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 06:54 PM
5 hrs ago

Because he has a mad at Congress. And he's going to create a new American Party that includes everyone!

How short memories are.

Response to Brenda (Reply #10)

Response to Omaha Steve (Original post)

maccafan

(122 posts)
6. A sad day
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 04:41 PM
7 hrs ago

I’m glad to see Obama, Bush, and Bono comment but it’s too late to do much now. Maybe I am just too pessimistic.

BigDemVoter

(4,636 posts)
9. Bush should shut his pie hole. . . .
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 06:47 PM
5 hrs ago

He didn't want to endorse Kamala, and his silence was pretty damning. . . .

While I guess it's good he's speaking out, he should have done so when P*$$Y-Grabber was running.

Brenda

(1,668 posts)
11. No shit about Shrub.
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 06:57 PM
5 hrs ago

It's like oooooh NOW I see how bad Chump is.

Women need to find another fucking planet to live on because this one is irredeemable.

Evolve Dammit

(20,918 posts)
12. They are right. This totally sucks. No reason. Minimal "savings." Diminished world reach. Not good. n/t
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 07:13 PM
4 hrs ago

Dulcinea

(8,657 posts)
14. Wouldn't that just send the Fascist Felon into a huge snit?
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 09:04 PM
2 hrs ago

Stand by for the bigly rage tweeting, or whatever they call it these days! Bono is not only a humanitarian but one of my favorite musicians, so I can't say I'm completely objective, but he should at least be nominated.

hamsterjill

(16,066 posts)
17. I echo what you've said. I really respect Bono.
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 10:31 PM
1 hr ago

I think Bono is deserving based on all of the GOOD he's done.

I've posted before that I believe SHOULD Trump EVER get the Nobel, it will be cheapened because it will have been bought by threats and whining. I sincerely hope the committee can see that and gives it to someone who truly deserves it.

MyOwnPeace

(17,335 posts)
16. We need this out for ALL to see!!!
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 09:43 PM
2 hrs ago

And yes, Shrub SHOULD have been heard from long ago. And we also need loud, public proclamations from both Clintons and Presidents Obama and Biden!
ALL of the good things that they did for our country are being destroyed - they need to speak up!!!

HighFired49

(421 posts)
18. What happened to the Supreme Court's recent reiteration
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 10:42 PM
1 hr ago

that only Congress has the authority to create, fund, and oversee federal agencies as put forth in our Constitution????

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