Summary of "The Charlie Kirk Show" Episode: Destroying USAID To Save America

Release Date: February 6, 2025

In the episode titled "Destroying USAID To Save America" from The Charlie Kirk Show, host Charlie Kirk engages in a deep and critical conversation with guest Mike Benz about the intricacies and alleged malpractices of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The discussion delves into USAID's role within the American government, its covert operations, influence on global and domestic affairs, and the challenges in reforming or dismantling the agency.

1. Understanding USAID's True Nature

Mike Benz opens the discussion by characterizing USAID as "probably the dirtiest standalone institution in the American government" (02:09). Contrary to its public image as a humanitarian agency aimed at making the world a better place, Benz argues that USAID primarily serves to advance U.S. foreign policy by managing the American empire. He emphasizes that USAID's operations are less about aid and more about "the management of the American empire," facilitating U.S. influence over global affairs to secure national interests (02:09).

Key Points:

• USAID operates under the guise of humanitarian efforts.
• Its primary function is to advance U.S. foreign policy and maintain the American empire.
• Funding and resources are channeled towards influencing foreign governments and securing natural resources.

2. USAID vs. CIA: A Comparison of Operations

Benz draws a parallel between USAID and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), suggesting that USAID can conduct activities similar to the CIA but without the same level of oversight. He cites historical precedents where the CIA operated with significant autonomy until scandals in the 1960s and 1970s led to reforms, including the requirement of presidential oversight for covert actions (02:09). In contrast, USAID currently lacks such stringent oversight, allowing it to engage in covert activities without direct presidential approval.

Notable Quote:

"USAID can operate like the CIA, but without the restraints that are typically put on the CIA." (02:09)

3. Covert Financial Operations and Media Manipulation

A significant portion of the discussion centers on USAID's involvement in funding media outlets to produce favorable narratives or hit pieces against targeted individuals and political figures. Benz highlights that USAID does not allocate funds directly to individuals but rather channels them through groups, enabling covert operations under the pretense of international development (02:09).

He specifically mentions USAID's funding of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which received $20 million between 2018 and 2019 to conduct investigative journalism. According to Benz, this funding was used to produce negative reports on figures like Paul Manafort and Rudy Giuliani, contributing to the impeachment of Donald Trump (08:18).

Notable Quote:

"USAID is directly sponsoring the production of hit pieces to impeach the President under which USAID is nominally supposed to serve." (08:29)

4. USAID's Role in Global Coups and Regime Changes

Benz accuses USAID of being a principal agent in orchestrating coups and regime changes worldwide. He cites several instances, including:

• Arab Spring (2010-2011): USAID allegedly funded protests and groups that led to the overthrow of governments in Egypt and Tunisia.
• Ukraine (2014): USAID, alongside the U.S. State Department and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), purportedly funneled $5 billion to organizations that facilitated the ousting of the Ukrainian government.
• Bangladesh: Funding was directed towards groups that successfully removed the Prime Minister from office.

Key Points:

• USAID's financial resources are used to destabilize foreign governments.
• The agency supports groups that foment protests and riots to engineer political outcomes favorable to U.S. interests.
• These actions undermine democratic processes and sovereignty of other nations.

Notable Quote:

"USAID is the primary sponsor of Blob rental riots." (15:12)

5. Domestic Influences and Black Lives Matter

The conversation extends to USAID's influence within the United States, particularly its involvement with movements like Black Lives Matter (BLM). Benz points out that USAID has funded BLM's parent organization, The Tide Center, with $27 million, and has engaged in planning that potentially aimed to use BLM as a destabilizing force during political events, such as the 2020 election (18:23).

Notable Quote:

"You have USAID funding the street riots against the Prime Minister of Bangladesh... and even partnering with Black Lives Matter to serve as a potential destabilization force." (18:23)

6. The Challenge of Dismantling USAID

Benz outlines the complexities involved in dismantling USAID, emphasizing the agency's deep-rooted connections with political donors and influential figures within both major U.S. political parties. He underscores that simply shutting down USAID without restructuring would not eliminate its functions, as its operations could be absorbed by other branches like the State Department (30:29).

Key Points:

• USAID's integration with political donors makes it resistant to change.
• Moving USAID under another governmental branch without altering its core structure would perpetuate its issues.
• Comprehensive reform requires addressing the systemic corruption and influence within USAID.

Notable Quote:

"Regardless of shutting USAID, if the structuring remains, then State just inherits a USAID herpes infection." (30:29)

7. Proposed Solutions and Final Thoughts

In concluding the discussion, Benz advocates for the shutdown of USAID and its integration into a more accountable branch of the government, emphasizing traditional oversight processes. He warns that without such measures, USAID's functions would continue under different guises, perpetuating the agency's alleged corruption and covert operations.

Key Points:

• Eliminate USAID as an independent agency.
• Integrate its functions into a government branch with stringent oversight.
• Address the broader issue of systemic corruption tied to political donors and factions.

Notable Quote:

"Simply ending USAID as an organization does not end USAID as a function." (30:29)

Conclusion

The episode "Destroying USAID To Save America" presents a vehement critique of USAID, portraying it as a clandestine arm of U.S. foreign policy that operates with minimal oversight to influence global and domestic affairs in ways that benefit the American empire. Mike Benz argues for the urgent need to dismantle and restructure USAID to halt its alleged corruption and covert operations that undermine democratic processes and national sovereignty. The conversation underscores the challenges in reforming such deeply entrenched institutions and calls for comprehensive measures to ensure accountability and alignment with American democratic values.

For more insights and detailed discussions from this episode, listeners are encouraged to visit charliekirk.com.