Bono denounces USAID slash in video with former U.S. presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush

Bono has joined former U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush in a video message for U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, staff members, criticising Donald Trump's dismantling of the agency and thanking staffers for their work.

USAID's 63 years of operation in over 60 countries came to an end on July 1, as it was officially absorbed into the U.S. State Department with 83% of its programmes slashed under the orders of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. USAID previously conducted programmes seeking peace and security in countries including Ukraine, Gaza, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Yemen, South Sudan and Afghanistan.

The video was not released publicly, but parts were shared with The Associated Press.

“Gutting USAID is a travesty, and it’s a tragedy. Because it’s some of the most important work happening anywhere in the world,” Obama said.

Obama and Bush have rarely spoken out against the current president and administration, in accordance with traditional protocols for former presidents.

Bush chose to address cuts of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, a global HIV/AIDS program credited with preventing 25 million deaths from the diseases in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.

"You’ve shown the great strength of America through your work, and that is our good heart,” Bush said. "Is it in our national interests that 25 million people who would have died now live? I think it is, and so do you."

Bono has a history of advocating for global health initiatives, founding the charity ONE to lobby for the passage of health and development programs including PEPFAR. He has received numerous awards for his activism.

Bono recently called for an end to the war in Gaza at the Ivor Novella Awards in May and earlier, faced pushback from Trump for denouncing USAID cuts. He spoke to Hot Press about his music, politics and activism.

He was revealed as a special guest in the video, surprising attendees.

"It’s not left-wing rhetoric to feed the hungry, heal the sick...If this isn’t murder, I don’t know what is," Bono said.

Bono praised USAID staffers as, "secret agents of international development." He went on to recite an original poem honouring the staffers and their work while reportedly visibly holding back tears. He praised their efforts to prevent disease outbreaks, provide clean water and food to civilians in war zones and avoid instances of famine.

“They called you crooks. When you were the best of us,” Bono said. "And don’t think any less of us, when politics makes a mess of us.”