Who is Mike Benz? The man fueling Musk’s war on USAID

TOI World Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Feb 7, 2025, 16:40 IST

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Mike Benz, a former state department official, has sparked controversy with his claims about USAID's operations, gaining attention from influential figures like Elon Musk. Benz alleges that USAID is a front for intelligence activities, leading Musk to criticize the agency. Benz's past, linked to alt-right ideologies, further fuels the debate.

Who is Mike Benz? The man fueling Musk’s war on USAID (Picture credit: X, AP)

Mike Benz has recently emerged as a central figure in the growing controversy surrounding the US Agency for International Development (USAID), with his critiques gaining traction among conservative circles and influential figures like Elon Musk.
According to The Washington Post, Benz’s allegations that USAID operates as a front for intelligence agencies have fueled Musk’s ongoing campaign against the agency. Musk, citing Benz’s claims, has called USAID a "criminal organization" and vowed to dismantle it.
This controversy comes as the Trump administration moves to restructure or dismantle government institutions perceived as politically biased, with USAID now at the centre of the battle.

Who Is Mike Benz?

Mike Benz is a former state department official who worked on cybersecurity and internet policy during Trump’s first term (NBC News).
After leaving government, he founded the Foundation for Freedom Online, an organization focused on opposing what he describes as the "censorship industrial complex" and government overreach in internet regulation.
His views, particularly on digital freedom and foreign policy influence, have resonated with Musk, leading to increased engagement between the two on social media.
Benz’s critiques of USAID suggest that the agency plays a role beyond humanitarian aid, influencing foreign governments and even online discourse management.
He describes USAID as part of a broader "foreign policy trifecta" alongside the State Department, Department of Defense, and intelligence community, as per the Washington Post.
However, experts, including professor emeritus Phil Brenner of American University, have refuted some of Benz’s claims, calling them distortions of USAID’s actual operations, according to the Center for Global Development.
Despite his rising influence, Benz’s background has drawn scrutiny. A NBC News investigation linked him to the alt-right under the pseudonym "Frame Game," where he allegedly promoted white identitarian views and conspiracy theories, including the "Great Replacement Theory."
Although Benz has not publicly addressed these past allegations, the resurfacing of his ties to extremist narratives has added further controversy to his role in the Trump-Musk push against USAID.

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TOI World Desk

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