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

D. Spaulding
(320 posts)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.
True Dough
(23,701 posts)And if, the day won't last
And if your way should falter
Along this stony paths
It's just a moment
This time will pass.
Prof. Toru Tanaka
(2,735 posts)A large swath of this nations people are cruel, hateful and just flat-out fucked up.
question everything
(50,647 posts)SalamanderSleeps
(913 posts)Dick Cheney got his wish.
Lee Atwater got his dream.
Now, we are living it.
D. Spaulding
(320 posts)Didn't see on in the article.
ancianita
(41,089 posts)Could be they didn't upload any segments, but also could be Google, hard to say.
Bayard
(26,033 posts)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
(1,708 posts)Because he has a mad at Congress. And he's going to create a new American Party that includes everyone!
How short memories are.
Bayard
(26,033 posts)Response to Brenda (Reply #10)
Bayard This message was self-deleted by its author.
Be specific.
Response to Omaha Steve (Original post)
Bayard This message was self-deleted by its author.
maccafan
(127 posts)Im glad to see Obama, Bush, and Bono comment but its too late to do much now. Maybe I am just too pessimistic.
notinkansas
(1,269 posts)should have happened at the beginning of this travesty. The custom of past presidents not being critical of current presidents is bogus when the stakes are this high.
Gimpyknee
(360 posts)JoseBalow
(7,958 posts)
SalamanderSleeps
(913 posts)Jessie Helms is laughing in his grave.
BigDemVoter
(4,640 posts)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
(1,708 posts)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.
LisaM
(29,285 posts)He can spare me the crocodile tears.
Prof. Toru Tanaka
(2,735 posts)Very true comment about W.
Evolve Dammit
(21,024 posts)hamsterjill
(16,116 posts)n/t
Dulcinea
(8,775 posts)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
(16,116 posts)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.
SalamanderSleeps
(913 posts)Whereas, Christy Moore can be trusted. And, he'd probably walk you home.
hamsterjill
(16,116 posts)And why so insistent on trashing him? Two posts.
Serious question.
SalamanderSleeps
(913 posts)MyOwnPeace
(17,349 posts)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
(424 posts)that only Congress has the authority to create, fund, and oversee federal agencies as put forth in our Constitution????
SalamanderSleeps
(913 posts)SunSeeker
(56,167 posts)This one was created by JFK. So DJT can destroy it.
Harker
(16,592 posts)some people kick them down.