Outrage as Bono claims Trump's USAID cuts may have led to 300,000 deaths on Joe Rogan's podcast

AUSTIN, TEXAS: Irish rock icon Bono has ignited a political firestorm after suggesting that cuts to the US Agency for International Development (USAID) under President Donald Trump may have led to hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths globally.

The controversial remarks, made during an appearance on 'The Joe Rogan Experience', prompted fierce pushback from Trump supporters, including Elon Musk, who branded the musician “a liar/idiot” on social media.

Bono tells Joe Rogan that 300,000 people may have already died due to USAID cuts

Bono, a founding member of U2, recently sat down with Joe Rogan on his podcast and spoke passionately about the apparent humanitarian crisis linked to the sudden halt of USAID.

He claimed, “Just recent report, it's not proven, but there's surveillance enough (to) suggest 300,000 people have already died from just this cut off, this hard cut of USAID, so there's food rotting in boats, in warehouses... This will f*** you off.”

Bono might have been referring to a study by Brooke Nichols, a quantitative modeler of infectious diseases at Boston University, who found that USAID cuts could have already caused 300,000 deaths, including those of over 200,000 children.

During the podcast interview, Bono went on to mention that these cuts had left food supplies stranded and relief operations paralyzed, particularly in conflict zones like Gaza and Sudan.

“There is 50,000 tons of food that are stored in Djibouti, South Africa, Dubai, and wait for it Houston, Texas, that is rotting rather than going to Gaza, rather than going to Sudan, because the people who know the codes for the warehouse are fired, they're gone,” Bono added, referencing a claimed stockpile of 50,000 tons of aid blocked by the dismantling of USAID operations. 

"So, I don't know. What do you think? What is that? That's not America, is it?" the musician asked Rogan. 

Musk, fresh off his White House departure as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), responded fiercely to Bono’s claims on X (formerly Twitter).

“He’s such a liar/idiot. Zero people have died!” the tech billionaire posted, triggering a wave of agreement among MAGA supporters.

Conservatives blast Bono over remarks about deaths caused by USAID cuts

Mike Benz, head of the Foundation for Freedom Online, shared a clip of Bono’s remarks and wrote on X, “These USAID numbers are f***** faker than their COVID numbers,” implying the data lacks credibility.

Right-wing online commentator Catturd wrote, “Elon Musk calls out low IQ moron Bono for being an idiot and a liar.”

One bluntly wrote, "Bono is a tool."

Another tweeted, "These entertainment celebrities often take positions that look morally righteous on the surface, even when they’re not. It’s incredibly superficial, but what else would you expect from them? Acting/performing is all they know." 

"You can tell he never gets outside of his warped echo chamber. That’s the dumbest s**t I’ve ever heard . 'Food rotting in warehouses because they fired the people that have the codes to the warehouses,'" another tweet read.  

Criticizing Bono's argument, one more wrote, "Bono, stick to music. He basically admitted that he had no facts on which his claims were based period. Which is why he could not argue with the facts."

Joe Rogan upsets loyal audience with Bono interview

Joe Rogan is no stranger to hosting divisive figures, but his latest guest, U2 frontman Bono, seems to have struck a nerve with his core audience. The episode quickly drew criticism online, with many longtime listeners openly expressing their disapproval.

One viewer said, “Waste of an episode. And I like you, Joe. But this one will not be watched."

Another wrote, “Have to pass on this one dude… Ugh.”

“That’s probably one of a few episodes I will never watch,” a fan remarked.

Another bluntly expressed, “I honestly can’t believe you are bragging about having this gross man on your show…."

Others questioned Bono’s relevance and appeal, with one writing, “I’ll skip this one. Not a fan of him, his music or politics.”

“Bono is a massive disappointment,” another Rogan viewer shared. 

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