Collection

USAID paid $44K to Politico, not over $8M as White House claimed. It was for subscriptions

With a promise to end "waste, fraud and abuse" within the agency, the Trump administration has made various claims about its past spending.

by Izz Scott LaMagdeleine, Feb. 6, 2025


A logo that says UNITED STATES AGENCY INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT is shown. On either side are two white woman smiling. The women on the left is a brunette, while the woman on the right is a blonde.

Image courtesy of Getty Images/Snopes illustration


In February 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump's administration moved to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), citing the overseas aid agency's alleged "waste" and "abuse" of federal funding. 

The administration reportedly planned to place thousands of the agency's employees on leave and attempted to shut down funding for many of its programs. As of this writing, federal judges have issued orders to temporarily pause those actions.. 

Meanwhile, various rumors about how USAID has spent taxpayers' money spread online. A sampling of them is below. 

For instance, Snopes fact-checked allegations that USAID funded a "transgender comic book in Peru" (false) and funneled $84 million to Chelsea Clinton (also false). The newsroom also analyzed how much USAID money went toward Starlink, a division of billionaire Elon Musk's space technology company, among other claims. 

Use our contact form to report additional rumors about the agency's alleged funding.


By Izz Scott LaMagdeleine

Izz Scott LaMagdeleine is the web producer/production editor for Snopes.

A white woman wearing a purple top looks towards the left. She's standing behind a podium that says CLINTON GLOBAL INITIATIVE in purple. Below, WHAT'S WORKING is also in smaller purple text.

No, Chelsea Clinton didn't receive $84M from USAID

Feb. 6, 2025

Posts shared online connected the rumor to her work for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foun ...

Read More


Trump WH falsely claimed USAID funded 'transgender comic book' in Peru

Feb. 13, 2025

Karoline Leavitt, U.S. President Donald Trump's White House press secretary, promoted this false ...

Read More


USAID did not pay Ben Stiller to visit Ukraine

Feb. 8, 2025

The federal agency is being dismantled under President Donald Trump's administration.

Read More


A sign says UNITED STATES AGENCY INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

USAID sent $2M to Guatemala, but not just for gender-affirming health care

Feb. 12, 2025

Republican officials pointed to the $2 million grant as a waste of federal spending.

Read More


A phone displays a X logo above a white word that says STARLINK. It horizontally rests partially on a keyboard, partially on a desk.

Breaking down how much money Musk's Starlink received from USAID

Feb. 11, 2025

A senator from Vermont claimed Elon Musk's Starlink received "millions" from the humanitarian ai ...

Read More


No Evidence Hamas Used US-Funded Condoms for Bombs as Trump Claimed

Jan. 31, 2025

Snopes previously found no proof the U.S. had funded $50 million worth of condoms for Palestinians.

Read More


No Evidence US Govt Allocated $50M To Send Condoms to Gaza

Jan. 30, 2025

Trump’s White House press secretary claimed millions of taxpayer dollars were spent to fund cond ...

Read More


Unpacking the story about Malia Obama receiving more than $2.2M from USAID

Feb. 14, 2025

Online users, either knowingly or unknowingly, shared an untrue rumor about Malia Obama originat ...

Read More


USAID paid $44K to Politico, not over $8M as White House claimed. It was for subscriptions

Feb. 6, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump, the White House press secretary and DOGE Director Elon Musk promote ...

Read More



Source code