Bono Sparks MAGA Backlash After Joe Rogan Appearance
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Irish rock star Bono has come under fire from supporters of President Donald Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement after citing an academic who said the administration's cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) may have been a factor in 300,000 deaths.
Bono made the claim during an appearance on Joe Rogan's popular podcast which was released on Friday, after which he was branded "a liar/idiot" by former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) chief Elon Musk.
Newsweek contacted USAID for comment on Saturday via email outside of regular office hours.
Why It Matters
After coming to power in January the second Trump administration ordered a halt to most foreign aid funding and attempted to shut down USAID, though this was blocked in court.
Supporters argued cuts saved American taxpayers money that was being used ineffectively, while critics said it would hit some of the most vulnerable around the world.
Bono at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 17, 2025, in Cannes, France.
Bono at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 17, 2025, in Cannes, France.What To Know
During his appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience Bono, a founding member of U2, said: "Just recent report, it's not proven, but there's surveillance enough [to] suggest 300,000 people have already died from just this cut off, this hard cut, of USAID so there's food rotting in boats, in warehouses, this will f*** you off."
Bono appeared to be referencing research conducted by Boston University infectious disease mathematical modeler Brooke Nichols who concluded USAID cuts could have resulted in 300,000 otherwise preventable deaths, including 200,000 children.
Bono's claim sparked a furious response from Trump supporters on social media including Elon Musk, who on Friday was given a large key by the president as thanks after stepping down from the day-to-day management of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
In a post on his X, formerly Twitter, website, referring to Bono, Musk said: "He's such a liar/idiot. Zero people have died!"
He's such a liar/idiot 🤦♂️
Zero people have died! — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 31, 2025
The tech billionaire was responding to Mike Benz, executive director of the Foundation For Freedom Online campaign group, who shared a clip of Bono's remarks adding: "These USAID numbers are f***** faker than their COVID numbers."
Popular conservative X commentator Catturd added: "Elon Musk calls out low IQ moron Bono for being an idiot and a liar."
However, Bono's comment was welcomed by the Protect Kamala Harris X account, which has over 90,000 followers and posts in support of the former presidential hopeful.
The account shared a photograph on Bono, captioned: "RETWEET if you stand with Bono against Donald Trump!"
What People Are Saying
During his podcast appearance Bono said: "There is 50,000 tons of food that are stored in Djibouti, South Africa, Dubai, and wait for it Houston, Texas, that is rotting rather than going to Gaza, rather than going to Sudan, because the people who know the codes for the warehouse are fired, they're done."
In response, Joe Rogan said: "They're throwing the baby out with the bathwater, this is the problem, the problem is for sure there have been a lot of organizations that do tremendous good all throughout the world. Also, for sure it was a money-laundering operation, for sure there was no oversight, for sure billions of dollars are missing, in fact trillions, that are unaccounted for."
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether the Trump administration will succeed in its bid to close down USAID entirely or whether this will continue to be blocked in the courts.
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