$500 Million in Food Stuck at Ports After Trump and Musk Cut USAID, Leaving U.S. Farmers Unpaid and Millions at Risk of Starvation

A government watchdog report has revealed that nearly $489 million worth of U.S. food aid is currently stuck at ports, in transit, or in warehouses, at risk of spoilage due to a funding halt ordered by the Trump administration. The food, originally intended for humanitarian relief in more than 100 countries, remains in limbo as the administration conducts a review of U.S. foreign aid programs, according to AP.

The Feb. 10 report from USAID’s inspector general warns that an additional 500,000 metric tons of food—including wheat, soybeans, sorghum, and split peas—is stranded on ships or waiting to be shipped overseas. Without immediate action, millions of people relying on U.S. assistance could face severe food shortages.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is one of the largest providers of global humanitarian aid, typically sourcing 40% of international food assistance from American farmers and manufacturers. However, the agency’s future is uncertain after Trump and Elon Musk, the newly appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), ordered a review of all foreign aid spending.

Musk, who has been vocal about his desire to shut down USAID, called the agency “beyond repair.” The funding freeze has already sparked concerns among U.S. farmers, particularly Kansas sorghum producers, who rely on USAID purchases to sustain their businesses.

The funding freeze is already affecting major humanitarian organizations. The Norwegian Refugee Council, one of the largest aid groups, called the U.S. cutoff the most devastating in its 79-year history. The organization says it will be forced to suspend life-saving programs in 20 countries.

“The impact of this will be felt severely by the most vulnerable,” the group said in a statement. It highlighted the situation in:

• Burkina Faso, where USAID funds provide clean water to 300,000 people trapped in a blockaded city.
• Sudan, where nearly 500 bakeries in Darfur rely on U.S. aid to supply subsidized bread to thousands of families facing hunger.

As the Trump administration continues its review, a federal judge temporarily blocked an order to place 2,200 USAID employees on administrative leave. However, reports indicate that many staff members still do not have access to essential resources, further stalling aid efforts.

With $8.2 billion in unspent humanitarian funds now under scrutiny, the fate of USAID’s global relief efforts remains uncertain. Aid groups warn that without immediate intervention, millions could face extreme food insecurity in the coming months.