'America First' aid policy reshapes how U.S. delivers global health assistance
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
The Trump administration's 'America First' policy is reshaping U.S. global health aid, requiring recipient nations to self-finance.
AI Summary
The Trump administration is reshaping how the U.S. delivers global health assistance, focusing on an 'America First' aid policy. This new approach involves the dismantling of USAID and emphasizes smaller deals directly with recipient governments. Under the new America First Global Health Strategy, countries receiving American aid will be required to finance part, and eventually all, of their programs. Fred de Sam Lazaro reports that Kenya and Uganda have already signed agreements under this revised policy. This shift signifies a major change in U.S. foreign aid, placing more financial responsibility on recipient nations.
What's Being Done
USAID is being dismantled, and new agreements are being signed with recipient governments like Kenya and Uganda under the America First Global Health Strategy.
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
GlobalExpert quits US HIV role, rebukes Trump's global health approach - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitAFBVV95cUxPdTJJcDc4bVFQM2ZfV0trZjFpNjBhZlZvM0VkanVyM2Fiek9OUVMzeWl2WHFMTFNFQjd0akM0V3lYZXp5QTJVel9aM0hibDdFY0RkdWZaeUNKVXZISWRvYmNmNTBTMDNVMVVmV0hCRkhzWHEtUUFxQkdqd1lnSS1ZVnQwcE9CNmx2TXJmVzBRRmh2empnOWdMVmg2Umo1ZUM2VHpLTWhRR2pEOFB1Q055YjJoVnQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Expert quits US HIV role, rebukes Trump's global health approach</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
GlobalUganda sees spike in disease-related deaths after elimination of USAID
In 2025, the Trump administration dissolved the $40 billion U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID. Days later, an exemption for "life-saving humanitarian assistance" was issued. But what that included was not specified and aid for health programs has been drastically reduced. Fred de Sam Lazaro reports from Uganda where there has been a spike in disease-related deaths since the cut.
Politics‘Ignorance and cruelty’: former USAID official details devastation inflicted by Doge cuts
<p>Nicholas Enrich was an eyewitness to the dismantling of the US foreign aid organization by the Trump administration</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&utm_campaign=BN22326&utm_content=signup&utm_term=standfirst&utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</a></p></li></ul><p>Nicholas Enrich was working in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/kenya">Kenya</a> in 2003 when the then US president <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/george-bush">George W Bush</a> signed a landmark $15bn, five-year commitment to combat <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/aids-and-hiv">HIV</a>, the largest international health commitment by any nation to fight a single disease.</p><p>It was the peak of the epidemic, and for the young American government aid...
Government TransparencyDemocrats demand Trump admin. halt plan to collect federal workers' health data
After KFF Health News reported that the Trump administration is seeking federal workers' medical records, Democratic lawmakers are insisting that the Office of Personnel Management drop its request.
Government TransparencyTrump administration giving unclear graduate student loan guidance: Financial aid group
The Department of Education (DoE) is issuing unclear guidance on whether graduate school loans are included in the new borrowing limit that will take effect this summer, according to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). In a Tuesday release, the financial aid group said that the DoE on Monday reversed course and…
PoliticsScoop: DeSantis "begging" Trump for prime role in administration
<p><a href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_blank">President Trump</a> has told confidants that Florida Gov. <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/01/21/governor-desantis-claims-victory-on-public-education-in-florida" target="_blank">Ron DeSantis</a> is "begging" for a job in Trump's administration — including attorney general — Axios has learned.</p><ul><li>DeSantis also has expressed interest in being secretary of defense and even a spot on the U.S. Supreme Court, according to six sources briefed on the discussions.</li></ul><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>DeSantis has to leave office at the end of his second term in January and is "looking for what to do next," according to one source who said Trump is inclined to consider helping out his understudy-turned-rival-turned-friend.</p><hr><p><strong>Inside the room:</strong> DeSantis' future was on the menu after the two men had lunch at Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami a week ago Sund...
Uganda sees spike in disease-related deaths after elimination of USAID
In 2025, the Trump administration dissolved the $40 billion U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID. Days later, an exemption for "life-saving humanitarian assistance" was issued. But what that included was not specified and aid for health programs has been drastically reduced. Fred de Sam Lazaro reports from Uganda where there has been a spike in disease-related deaths since the cut.
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Report: Merck’s blockbuster cancer drug topped $200,000 a year under Trump
One in three Americans forced to make financial sacrifices for health coverage
Trump-branded data center project CEO departs
6 crew still missing after overturned ship that disappeared after typhoon is found near Saipan - AP News
US Live Nation and Ticketmaster verdict triggers calls for Australian investigation into ticketing rules
