As Elon Musk moves to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a federal agency that provides foreign assistance, right-wing conspiracy theorists are now urging Musk to target another humanitarian-focused organization: the Red Cross.
USAID’s Recent Turmoil
USAID has been in disarray since the Trump administration imposed a sweeping freeze on foreign assistance, putting numerous officials accused of “circumventing the President’s Executive Orders” via waiver proposals on paid leave.
On Monday, the situation escalated further when USAID employees were instructed to stay home after its headquarters was unexpectedly closed. More than 600 employees reported being locked out of the agency’s computer systems overnight.
This sudden closure followed the suspension of two top security chiefs at USAID for refusing to hand over classified materials to Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) inspection team, citing DOGE’s lack of necessary security clearances.
“USAID is a criminal organization. Time for it to die,” Musk wrote on Sunday, responding to reports that his agency was blocked from accessing classified data.
Musk’s push to dismantle USAID, which he claims President Donald Trump supports, has sparked intense debate. Critics argue that USAID was established by Congress and cannot be unilaterally shut down by executive action.
“These actions by Trump/Musk show America as a nation trampling the rule of law,” said Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.).
Red Cross in the Crosshairs
Supporters of Musk’s aggressive government cuts are now looking for his next target, and some have set their sights on the Red Cross.
“@Elonmusk – What about the ‘Red Cross’? You game for that?” one user posted on X, formerly Twitter. “Have not heard anything on their PiggyBank from USAID.”
“Do Red Cross next!” another user urged Musk.
The motivations behind calls to dismantle the Red Cross vary. Some users are reacting to a Red Cross report that criticized the treatment of newly freed Palestinian prisoners, questioning whether USAID funds the organization. Others cite conspiracy theories regarding the Red Cross’s role in global humanitarian efforts.
Conspiracy Theories and the Red Cross
A major point of contention is a widely shared map from a pamphlet distributed to migrants heading to the U.S. The map details locations where they can find food, water, and other essential resources along the way. While the Red Cross has stated that its humanitarian actions do not encourage or discourage migration but rather aim to mitigate vulnerabilities, the document has fueled conspiracy theories.
“Red Cross helps in the trafficking of children,” one user falsely claimed, referring to the map. “Red Cross steals blood donated to them to make money. Red Cross is NOT who you think THEY are.”
Another user tagged Musk in a post claiming, “The US Govt has been abetting SLAVERY in America as have the charities they funded like: The Red Cross, Catholic Charities, Lutheran religious groups, etc. Cartels make many ILLEGALS into SLAVES as indentured servants & sex slaves, including children.”
Musk’s Response to the Red Cross Allegations
While Musk has not announced any DOGE-related moves against the Red Cross, he has echoed some of the concerns floating on social media.
“I was told that not only is the Red Cross facilitating illegal immigration, they are being paid to do so by the Federal government, specifically the Dept of Homeland Security out of the FEMA budget!” Musk wrote on X in January. “What the heck is going on!?”
Despite these claims, the Red Cross is an independent nonprofit that does not receive regular federal funding. The calls for Musk to intervene highlight how misinformation spreads quickly in politically charged environments.
As debates over USAID and the Red Cross intensify, the broader implications of Musk’s push to restructure federal assistance and humanitarian efforts remain uncertain. While some celebrate his aggressive stance against government spending, others warn that dismantling aid organizations could have severe consequences for global relief efforts.
The controversy underscores the growing influence of social media-driven movements in shaping political narratives and policy discussions. Whether Musk will heed the calls to target the Red Cross remains to be seen.
