Elon Musk vs. US Foreign Aid: How DOGE is Reshaping Global Funding

In an unprecedented move, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a newly established US institution helmed by none other than Elon Musk—has started cutting off foreign aid to multiple nations, including Pakistan, India, Namibia, Cambodia, Tanzania, Afghanistan, and several European countries. Governments, universities, and aid organizations worldwide have been shocked by the abrupt halt in funding. Exchange programs have been axed, and Fulbright is no longer spared.

The Collapse of US-Funded Exchange Programs

Among the first casualties of this financial overhaul were academic exchange programs like the Global UGRAD Program, which has been postponed indefinitely. While Fulbright has been under review for months, the final blow has now arrived: funding has been officially stopped for some courses. The decision has left Fulbright scholars currently in the US stranded, unable to continue their studies or even work, as their contracts prohibit employment.

One scholar, caught in the midst of this crisis, described the situation:
“A sudden contract termination notice left both me and my host university in a state of shock.”

The closure of USAID—once a cornerstone of US global philanthropy—has further intensified the impact, cutting off development projects, humanitarian relief, and diplomatic soft power efforts. The US, once the largest contributor to global education and humanitarian programs, is now withdrawing entirely from the space it helped build.

The $47 Trillion Question

The man behind this seismic shift, Elon Musk, claims that $47 trillion in US government spending is unaccounted for, demanding to know, “Where is that money going?” His straightforward approach is to halt the outflow until he finds answers.

India has expressed outrage, as the country has been one of the largest recipients of US economic and military aid. Other nations, long dependent on American financial assistance, now find themselves scrambling for alternatives. Musk, in his characteristic bluntness, seems to be “ducking” every nation’s demands while DOGE—ironically named after his cryptocurrency—soars in value, riding the free wave of controversy and publicity.

Is Meritocracy a Myth or a New Beginning?

But this move raises a deeper question: Were we truly “earning” this aid, or was it simply allowed? The myth of meritocracy has long surrounded scholarships like Fulbright, making recipients believe they were chosen purely on merit. However, Musk’s intervention suggests a different reality: it was not just about merit; it was about permission.

Is this an opportunity for nations to redefine their educational and economic independence? Could this be a moment of decolonizing philanthropy, where Global South nations build self-sustaining education and development models instead of relying on Western aid? Or will the inevitable “bounce effect” bring the money flowing back once conditions change? Only time will tell.

What’s Next?

For now, the world is watching DOGE closely—not just for its policies, but also for its unintended consequences. Will the US face diplomatic backlash? Will other countries step in to fill the aid vacuum? And will nations like Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan find ways to thrive without Uncle Sam’s dollars?

One thing is certain: Elon Musk is not just disrupting the tech industry anymore. He’s disrupting global finance, diplomacy, and education—all under the name of “efficiency.”

In an ironic turn of events, DOGE (the department) has contributed more to DOGE (the coin) than any marketing campaign ever could.