Chelsea Clinton speaks out about allegations of receiving $84 million from USAID

Chelsea Clinton has come forward to address claims that she received $84 million from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), stating that ‘misinformation’ has been used as a weapon against her.

Both Elon Musk and President Donald Trump have taken steps to advocate for the closure of USAID, citing that the agency is beyond repair in its current state.

The billionaire ‘first buddy’ led a civilian review of the federal government with Trump’s go-ahead and decided this week to shut down the agency.

Despite the controversy surrounding USAID, the United States remains the largest contributor of humanitarian aid worldwide, with the agency overseeing the distribution of billions of dollars in aid for various purposes in over 100 countries.

USAID funding goes to programs on everything from women’s health in conflict zones to access to clean water, HIV/AIDS treatments, energy security and anti-corruption work. 

However, many have questioned some of the programs the agency supports, with some making outrageous accusations as to who benefits. 

Clinton, 44, was charged with receiving $84million from USAID via the Clinton Foundation, which was founded by herself, father Bill and mother Hillary. 

The former First Daughter responded on social media Monday, writing: ‘Lies and conspiracies about my family and me are nothing new. Still, I am particularly troubled by the absurd claims that continue to pervade social media this week, fact checks be damned.’

‘Facts: I’m proud of the Clinton Foundation work that has helped tens of millions of people worldwide. Our impact speaks for itself. I don’t take a cent from the Foundation. Never have. In fact, my family personally contributes meaningfully to our work each year,’ she continued.

‘Misinformation isn’t just noise—it’s a weapon. Efforts to undermine good work won’t stop us, and we stand in solidarity with those who are committed to truth, public health, progress, and the endless potential of our future.’

Fact-checking website Snopes added that the money was not only not given to Chelsea Clinton but also not an accurate amount.

‘A graph that social media users claimed showed Chelsea Clinton received $84 million from USAID is actually a reference to the Clinton Foundation,’ they wrote. 

‘Further, government data from fiscal years 2008-24 showed that USAID had not given more than $7.5 million to that foundation. Finally, tax returns show Chelsea Clinton does not receive any compensation for her work at the foundation.’

The rumors and accusations continue to spread as the agency’s future remains very much in doubt. 

A judge has temporarily blocked Donald Trump from placing 2,200 workers at the USAID on paid leave, just hours before it was due to happen.

Judge Carl Nichols issued a ‘limited’ temporary restraining order after two unions filed a last-minute lawsuit trying to save the agency. The order will remain in place until Friday at midnight.

The US President has argued that the overseas aid agency is not a valuable use of taxpayer money and wants to dismantle it – with plans to keep just 611 employees and put nearly 10,000 on leave. 

Some 500 staff had already been placed on administrative leave and another 2,200 were due to join them from midnight last Friday.

But the lawsuit argued that the government was violating the US Constitution and that USAID workers were suffering harm.

Judge Nichols sided with the unions, saying they would suffer ‘irreparable harm’ if the court did not intervene, while there would be ‘zero harm to the government’.

The order also reinstates the 500 staff already placed on leave. It is unclear what will happen to the agency’s remaining employees.

USAID is the world’s biggest aid donor, with much of its budget spent on health programs. Two-thirds of its 10,000 staff work overseas.

It is one of many federal agencies targeted by Trump as he works to slash federal spending in the US.

The President campaigned on overhauling the government and formed an advisory body named the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) – led by tech billionaire Elon Musk – to slash the budget.

Friday’s ruling came in response to an emergency petition by the unions American Foreign Service Association and American Federation of Government Employees, which represent USAID employees.

The legal action argued that the President was violating the US Constitution and federal law. ‘Not a single one of defendants’ actions to dismantle USAID were taken pursuant to congressional authorization,’ it said.

Representing the Trump administration, Justice Department official Brett Shumate told the judge that the President ‘has decided there is corruption and fraud at USAID’.