Impact of USAID Shutdown: Let Them Eat Cake

What is the impact of the USAID shutdown as thee United States abruptly walked away from global humanitarian aid?

In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, host Bob Gatty speaks with former senior USAID official Clifford Brown about the far-reaching consequences of the Trump administration’s decision to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Brown, who left a lucrative legal career to serve in public service, shares firsthand accounts from his work in Kenya, Guatemala, Honduras, West Africa, and post-Soviet states. He explains how USAID programs provided food security, healthcare, and economic opportunity—and how their abrupt termination has contributed to increased suffering, instability, and migration pressures.

The conversation explores:

• Why the shutdown of USAID was celebrated by some Trump administration officials who enjoyed a big sheet cake—and devastating for millions who because of their actions would have very little to eat

• The real-world consequences of ending global health and development programs

• The moral and political challenges of democracy-building abroad

• Corruption, cultural conflict, and the limits of foreign intervention

• Why restoring USAID matters for America’s global credibility

Brown also discusses his book, Inside USAID: An Odyssey of Foreign Assistance, a deeply personal account of the triumphs and failures of U.S. foreign aid.

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CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction: The Heinous Act of Defunding USAID

01:09 Guest Introduction: Clifford Brown's Journey

02:16 The Impact of USAID's Elimination

02:52 Clifford's Career and Experiences

06:45 Global Consequences of Defunding USAID

10:17 Humanitarian Crises and USAID's Role

18:35 Challenges in Promoting Democracy

20:48 Controversial Topics and Personal Stories

26:04 Clifford's Book and Final Thoughts