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A survey from February 2025 found that U.S. adults greatly overestimate the percentage of the federal budget spent on foreign aid. The survey found that the average perceived amount spent on foreign aid was 26 percent. In reality, foreign aid accounts for around one percent of the federal budget. Shockingly, 15 percent of respondents thought foreign aid accounted for 51 percent or more of the federal budget. 

In January 2025, President Trump ordered a pause on funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and a 90-day review of all U.S. foreign assistance. By the end of March, the review had been completed, 83 percent of USAID programs were terminated, and it was announced that certain USAID functions would be overtaken by the Department of State while all others would be discontinued.

Trump has said that the United States spends too much on foreign aid and accused USAID of being corrupt and a waste of money. However, foreign aid accounts for just one percent of the federal budget. Furthermore, it is predicted that millions of people will die due to the dissolution of USAID, as vulnerable people around the world will no longer be able to access prevention and treatment for diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.