Stand with USAID Toolkit

BACKGROUND

Elon Musk is illegally purging and shutting down USAID -  the U.S. Agency for International Development, an independent federal agency that provides life-saving humanitarian assistance and development programs to over 100 countries around the world for less than 1% of the federal budget.

The Trump administration’s attacks on USAID and foreign assistance are cruel, reckless and make us less safe.

Congress has to regain control.

We need your help calling on Congress to act and raising awareness of this unethical and illegal attack of the world’s richest man on the world’s most vulnerable; and on the thousands of American aid workers who are dedicated to improving the lives of others.  

RESOURCES:

  • Take Action - Individuals
  • Take Action - Organizations 
  • Support organizations helping USAID Staff buy purchasing USAID Forever Merch
  • Accounts to Follow:
  • Instagram:
  • Twitter:
  • Speak Out:

AMPLIFY ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Use the below sample social posts below and these graphics to help get the word out.

Sample Posts:

Why USAID Matters:

  • USAID represents the best of America. Its mission represents the best of humanity. THIS is #USAID https://vimeo.com/1052680025 #SaveForeignAid #StandwithUSAID
  • When we lift people around the world out of poverty, we create an America with fewer threats from violent extremism, disease, narcotics & climate change. #ForeignAid isn’t just from the American people. It’s FOR the American people. #SaveForeignAid #StandwithUSAID
  • JFK created #USAID to help solve the world’s biggest problems: “For all history shows that the effort to win progress represents the most determined and steadfast aspirations of man.”  Don’t let Elon Musk destroy it. #SaveForeignAid #StandwithUSAID https://tinyurl.com/28x5tnyv
  • Throughout USAID’s 64 year history, it’s helped eradicate smallpox, reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS globally & save the lives of one billion people+. USAID’s work is critical to keeping both Americans & people around the world safe. A world without USAID = more danger for all.
  • Every year, USAID has responded to an average of 75 humanitarian crises in more than 70 countries, providing critical aid to people who need it most. This life-saving support helps keep crises from escalating into more dangerous conflicts that harm Americans. #SaveForeignAid #StandwithUSAID
  • I’m proud to be an American because of #USAID. You should be too. Call your Members of Congress now and demand they act to protect USAID. www.usaidstopwork.com  #SaveForeignAid #StandwithUSAID
  • “USAID Forever” represents the enduring spirit and collective commitment of USAID to solve the world’s toughest challenges–past, present, and future. Proceeds from “USAID Forever” merch will be donated to support the USAID workforce in the fight to save USAID. https://bit.ly/USAIDForever
  • Outraged by Elon Musk's illegal shutdown of USAID? Call your Members of Congress NOW and then buy your USAID Forever sweatshirts & pins. Proceeds support orgs helping USAID's unemployed workforce worldwide. https://bit.ly/USAIDForever 

On the Illegal Shutdown of USAID:

  • The richest man in the world is targeting the world’s poorest. Elon Musk is freezing foreign aid and illegally dismantling the agency that provides it. #SaveForeignAid #StandwithUSAID
  • The hostile takeover of a federal agency like #USAID by a billionaire private citizen without Congressional approval is illegal and terrifying. Call your Members of Congress now and demand they act to #SaveForeignAid. www.usaidstopwork.com #StandwithUSAID
  • The illegal raid on #USAID should alarm every American. It puts our national security at risk and forecasts what's to come next. #SaveForeignAid #StandwithUSAID
  • Musk swept away a federal agency in a week. What's his next target? Our education system? Direct assistance? Your health care? #SaveForeignAid #StandwithUSAID

Impacts on American Economy, Health, and Security:

  • Russia, China and Iran are all celebrating the destruction of USAID. Our enemies will quickly fill the aid gaps left around the world, making Americans less safe. #SaveForeignAid
  • USAID was monitoring bird flu in 49 countries and working to halt the spread. Elon Musk has stopped this critical work. Shutting down USAID puts us all in danger. #SaveForeignAid
  • 📢 Last year, USAID awarded nearly $1 billion in contracts to U.S. small businesses. Now, many of these companies are furloughing American workers. This will bankrupt U.S. businesses and cause lasting damage on the domestic economy. Visit usaidstopwork.com to take action. #SaveForeignAid
  • The USAID foreign aid freeze has resulted in an estimated 51,946 American jobs lost and counting. This devastating impact is rippling through communities, affecting families and businesses nationwide. Supporting USAID means supporting American workers and the U.S. economy. #StandwithUSAID #SupportAmericanWorkers
  • 🛑 URGENT: The world is still reeling from the effects of COVID-19. USAID global health programs help prevent the spread of infectious diseases, enhancing health systems and global health security. Supporting global health response abroad means protecting Americans from the threat of future pandemics. Visit USAIDStopWork.com to take action. #SaveForeignAid 🌍🚫
  • The foreign aid freeze is hitting close to home, threatening the livelihoods of American farmers. American farms supply about 41% of USAID’s food aid. Without USAID’s support, American farmers lose access to programs that export their products, expand their markets, and build sustainable agricultural practices. Supporting USAID = Support for U.S. farmers. 🚨 🌾🚫
  • 🚨 🌾 Trump’s foreign-aid freeze has stopped purchases and shipments of U.S. food aid worth over $340 million — including rice, wheat and soybeans. Rather than saving lives abroad, this food is now stranded on American soil, leaving farmers to absorb the cost of export loss. Visit USAIDStopWork.com to resume urgent food aid and support of U.S. farmers.

On USAID’s Bi-Partisan Support:

  • Confused about why Elon Musk’s shutdown of USAID matters so much? Just take it from the many Republicans who have supported USAID for decades:
  • @LindseyGrahamSC —- USAID is “a force for good, creating a great impression for our country, improving the lives of others, which is good foreign policy, good national security.” + (Video Link)
  • @SecRubio – “Foreign aid as a part of our overall budget is less than 1% of the total amount the US Government spends…I promise you it is going to be a lot harder to recruit someone to anti-Americanism and anti-American terrorism if the United States of America is the reason one is even alive today.”
  • @SecRubio – “We don’t have to give foreign aid. We do so because it furthers our national interest. That’s why we give foreign aid.”
  • George W. Bush – “USAID creates a  safer, healthier and more prosperous world.”
  • @RepMcCaul – “By projecting the goodwill and generosity of the American people, your work has helped America strengthen its own national security and deepen important international relationships.” - Representative Michael McCaul of Texas