This article expresses deep concern over the consequences of Donald Trump's and Elon Musk's actions on global poverty, focusing particularly on the significant cuts to USAID funding.
The author highlights the devastating impact of these cuts, estimating that 1,192,400 people will die this year due to lack of access to HIV prevention and treatment, and that over the next five years, another 10 million will contract HIV. Additionally, an estimated half a million will die from the lack of vaccines, and nearly half a million from lack of food aid.
The author criticizes the silence of US evangelicals, many of whom voted for Trump, in the face of this humanitarian crisis.
A central theme is the contrast between Elon Musk's statement on the fundamental weakness of Western civilization being empathy and the teachings of Jesus regarding compassion for the poor. The author contrasts Musk's immense wealth with his perceived lack of charitable giving to the world’s poor.
The author concludes with a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, emphasizing a moral obligation to oppose injustice and oppression.