U2 frontman Bono has once again voiced his strong opposition to the international aid cuts spearheaded by Elon Musk. In a recent interview, the singer described the reduction in funding as “unconscionable,” while also expressing his belief that the Republican Party has been “hijacked” by the current Donald Trump administration. These DOGE aid cuts, managed through the Department of Government Efficiency, have become a central point of contention for the activist and musician.
Speaking alongside bandmate The Edge, Bono discussed the band’s 50th anniversary and their upcoming 16th studio album, Carnaval De Luz. However, the conversation quickly turned to the state of American politics. “I think this is the greatest heist in the history of the world: stealing America,” Bono remarked. “It’s not a caper movie. It’s real, and it’s happening.”
The singer emphasized that his critique is not aimed at conservative voters, but rather at the political direction of the party. “I don’t want to put off good people who vote conservative, who vote Republican. Their party’s been hijacked, and it’s an aggressive takeover,” he stated. “I want to invite them back.”
The core of his frustration lies in the humanitarian impact of the cuts to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). When asked about the potential human cost, Bono was stark in his assessment. “I don’t know how many fatalities will eventually be attributed to the DOGE cuts,” he said. “What Christian household, what Catholic household, what Jewish household, anyone of faith, in fact anyone of conscience, would allow the hemorrhaging of human life that is going to happen as a result of these DOGE cuts? It’s unconscionable.”
A 2025 study published in The Lancet supports these concerns, projecting that drastic reductions in USAID funding could lead to approximately 14 million additional deaths worldwide by 2030, including 4.5 million children under the age of five.
Bono of U2 in 2026. CREDIT: Win McNamee/Getty Images
This is not the first time the U2 frontman has clashed with Musk over these policies. In May 2025, following an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, the two engaged in a public dispute. At the time, Musk dismissed the concerns, claiming that “zero people have died” due to the cuts. Despite the pushback, Bono remains committed to his advocacy, recently joining former presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush in honoring the displaced USAID staff.
The Edge also weighed in on the band’s approach to political discourse, noting that while he shares Bono’s concerns, the band aims to provide a sense of hope through their music. “We feel a responsibility, I suppose, to address what we see going wrong with the world, but you can’t do it incessantly,” he explained. “What we want to do is draw attention to something that’s a kind of antidote, something that is better.”
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