President Trump’s stance on foreign aid has been all over the map—literally. Since taking office, he’s slashed budgets for agencies like U.S.A.I.D., calling them wasteful and corrupt, but his opinions have flip-flopped over the years. This piece digs into how his thinking on humanitarian assistance has shifted, from his early political days to now.

A new study warns that the Trump administration’s deep cuts to USAID—the agency responsible for 40% of global humanitarian funding—could have catastrophic consequences, potentially causing 14 million deaths. The report suggests these cuts might undo 20 years of progress in global health, hitting vulnerable populations the hardest.

On July 1, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) officially ceases operations after being dismantled by former President Trump. The article reflects on the agency’s legacy through interviews with four former top officials, marking the end of an era for an organization long involved in global humanitarian and development work.

Researchers warn that proposed cuts to USAID funding by the Trump administration could have catastrophic consequences, leading to an estimated 14 million deaths globally over the next five years. The reductions would dismantle critical health and humanitarian programs, leaving vulnerable populations without lifesaving aid.

A sobering new study warns that up to 14 million lives could be lost globally if USAID—the U.S. agency responsible for humanitarian and development aid—faces drastic funding cuts under a potential second Trump administration. The research compares past USAID programs that saved millions from disease, famine, and conflict with projected scenarios where those lifelines disappear.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about politics—it’s about real people in vulnerable communities who rely on vaccines, food aid, and disaster relief. The study frames these cuts as a matter of life and death, highlighting how shifts in U.S. policy can ripple across the world. For readers, it’s a stark reminder that foreign aid isn’t abstract; it’s a direct factor in survival for millions.