Elon Musk Labels USAID “Criminal Organisation” Over COVID-19 Research Allegations
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has been accused of funding bioweapon research, including projects related to the origin of COVID-19, with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk labelling the agency a “criminal organisation”
Musk’s remarks were in reaction to a post by social media user @KanekoaTheGreat, which claimed that USAID allocated $53 million to EcoHealth Alliance, a US-based non-profit, for gain-of-function research on coronaviruses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
This research, the post suggested, might have contributed to the creation of Covid-19.
Musk shared the claim in a post on X, on Sunday, writing, “Did you know that USAID, using YOUR tax dollars, funded bioweapon research, including COVID-19, that killed millions of people?”
Did you know that USAID, using YOUR tax dollars, funded bioweapon research, including COVID-19, that killed millions of people? https://t.co/YVwyKA7ifs
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 2, 2025
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While Musk didn’t provide further evidence, the original post also alleged that the CIA’s deception regarding COVID-19’s origins becomes clearer when considering USAID’s long history as a potential CIA front organisation.
Musk later reaffirmed his criticism, replying to a video about USAID’s alleged involvement in internet censorship and “rogue CIA activities” with the statement, “USAID is a criminal organisation.”
USAID is a criminal organization https://t.co/FY7P52XTYC
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 2, 2025
EcoHealth Alliance has faced scrutiny for its collaborations with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, although it denies conducting gain-of-function research.
In May 2024, the US Department of Health and Human Services suspended all federal funding to EcoHealth, citing concerns over its management of high-risk experiments.
In a related development, the CIA recently shifted its stance on the origins of Covid-19, with a spokesperson stating that a lab leak is now deemed more likely than a natural origin, following the confirmation of John Ratcliffe as CIA director.
Ratcliffe has been vocal in supporting the lab-leak theory, calling it “the only theory supported by science, intelligence, and common sense.”
USAID has a history of funding global health programmes, including a £125 million initiative in 2021 aimed at exploring emerging pathogens.
However, the Discovery & Exploration of Emerging Pathogens programme was shut down in 2023, reigniting debates about the ethical implications of US-funded research and Covid-19’s origins.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
