Elton John warns Trump’s USAID cuts will have “devastating effects” on HIV response
Elton John has criticised US President Donald Trump’s cuts to the USAID budget, claiming that it will have “devastating effects” on the goal to create lifesaving treatments for HIV.
Trump’s decision on Thursday to cull over 90% of foreign aid contracts will lead to a reported cut of $60billion. Elton John has come forward to share his concerns about the potential impacts of this withdrawal.
The singer, who is the founder of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, took to Instagram on Saturday to voice his opinion, with a statement from the Foundation saying: “We are gravely concerned about the decision by the U.S. Administration to cut more than 90% of contracts held by USAID, many of which they had already deemed ‘lifesaving’. This abrupt action could have devastating effects on the HIV response and put years of progress in jeopardy.”
The post continued: “Millions of people are alive today thanks to the generosity of the American people and because of effective programs like PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief). Today, they are unsure of when, or even if, they will get the medicine they need to stay alive.”
The singer has not previously commented on his feelings toward the Trump administration, but he has pledged that the Foundation will launch an urgent appeal, The Rocket Response Fund, in retaliation to the news of the cuts.
He’s not the only musician who has released a statement against the present US regime in recent days. President Trump has recently come under fire for his handling of a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy, where he was criticised for clashing with his fellow leader while attempting to negotiate a defence deal to bring an end to the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Away from politics, Elton John also recently announced plans to perform a one-off concert in Singapore despite previously announcing that he was retiring from touring.
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