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Omaha Steve

(106,363 posts)
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 04:20 PM Jun 30

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

34 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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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 Jun 30 OP
This is all so crazy. And the way Big Orange has his followers cheering this on after D. Spaulding Jun 30 #1
And if, and if the night runs over True Dough Jul 1 #26
The hell with TSF and all of his fans/followers. Prof. Toru Tanaka Jul 1 #32
Bush criticized him? This is a first in 10 years. question everything Jun 30 #2
A chicken hawk born of a chicken shit SalamanderSleeps Jul 1 #23
I'd like to see a video of that, if anyone runs across a link. D. Spaulding Jun 30 #3
I've searched over hours. There are no YouTube (Google) video clips of the actual video conference. ancianita Jun 30 #15
Musk called this program a, "criminal enterprise." Bayard Jun 30 #4
Yet Musk is becoming a folk hero in some parts of DU. Brenda Jun 30 #10
I haven't seen that from anyone here..... Bayard Jun 30 #19
This message was self-deleted by its author Bayard Jun 30 #20
Which parts? TheBadWolf Jul 1 #22
This message was self-deleted by its author Bayard Jun 30 #5
A sad day maccafan Jun 30 #6
Speaking out about this notinkansas Jul 1 #34
At last we hear from Dubya. Gimpyknee Jun 30 #7
Bono is number one! JoseBalow Jun 30 #8
Bono the original inventor of the credit default swap. SalamanderSleeps Jul 1 #21
Bush should shut his pie hole. . . . BigDemVoter Jun 30 #9
No shit about Shrub. Brenda Jun 30 #11
Bush's SCOTUS and Citizens United CREATED Trump. LisaM Jul 1 #30
Here, here! Prof. Toru Tanaka Jul 1 #33
They are right. This totally sucks. No reason. Minimal "savings." Diminished world reach. Not good. n/t Evolve Dammit Jun 30 #12
I would love it if Bono got the Nobel. hamsterjill Jun 30 #13
Wouldn't that just send the Fascist Felon into a huge snit? Dulcinea Jun 30 #14
I echo what you've said. I really respect Bono. hamsterjill Jun 30 #17
Paul David Hewson - would never talk to you on the street in Dublin. SalamanderSleeps Jul 1 #25
What's your beef with Bono? hamsterjill Jul 1 #31
Are you really sure a banker should win the Nobel Peace Prize? SalamanderSleeps Jul 1 #24
We need this out for ALL to see!!! MyOwnPeace Jun 30 #16
What happened to the Supreme Court's recent reiteration HighFired49 Jun 30 #18
Lost in a Reagan fog? SalamanderSleeps Jul 1 #27
Apparently that only applied to agencies created by Congress. SunSeeker Jul 1 #29
Some people build beautiful castles of sand... Harker Jul 1 #28

D. Spaulding

(320 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
Jun 30

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)
26. And if, and if the night runs over
Tue Jul 1, 2025, 05:12 AM
Jul 1

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)
32. The hell with TSF and all of his fans/followers.
Tue Jul 1, 2025, 07:51 AM
Jul 1

A large swath of this nation’s people are cruel, hateful and just flat-out fucked up.

SalamanderSleeps

(913 posts)
23. A chicken hawk born of a chicken shit
Tue Jul 1, 2025, 03:51 AM
Jul 1

Dick Cheney got his wish.

Lee Atwater got his dream.

Now, we are living it.

ancianita

(41,089 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
Jun 30

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

Bayard

(26,033 posts)
4. Musk called this program a, "criminal enterprise."
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 04:36 PM
Jun 30

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)
10. Yet Musk is becoming a folk hero in some parts of DU.
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 06:54 PM
Jun 30

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

(127 posts)
6. A sad day
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 04:41 PM
Jun 30

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.

notinkansas

(1,269 posts)
34. Speaking out about this
Tue Jul 1, 2025, 11:54 AM
Jul 1

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.

BigDemVoter

(4,640 posts)
9. Bush should shut his pie hole. . . .
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 06:47 PM
Jun 30

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)
11. No shit about Shrub.
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 06:57 PM
Jun 30

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

(21,024 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
Jun 30

Dulcinea

(8,775 posts)
14. Wouldn't that just send the Fascist Felon into a huge snit?
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 09:04 PM
Jun 30

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)
17. I echo what you've said. I really respect Bono.
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 10:31 PM
Jun 30

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)
25. Paul David Hewson - would never talk to you on the street in Dublin.
Tue Jul 1, 2025, 04:53 AM
Jul 1

Whereas, Christy Moore can be trusted. And, he'd probably walk you home.

MyOwnPeace

(17,349 posts)
16. We need this out for ALL to see!!!
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 09:43 PM
Jun 30

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)
18. What happened to the Supreme Court's recent reiteration
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 10:42 PM
Jun 30

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

SunSeeker

(56,167 posts)
29. Apparently that only applied to agencies created by Congress.
Tue Jul 1, 2025, 07:23 AM
Jul 1

This one was created by JFK. So DJT can destroy it.

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