Conspiracy theorists believe the nonprofit is involved in human trafficking.
As Elon Musk moves to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development—an independent federal agency overseeing foreign aid—right-wing conspiracy theorists are urging him to take aim at another humanitarian organization: the Red Cross.
USAID has been in turmoil since the Trump administration imposed a sweeping freeze on foreign aid, placing dozens of officials on paid leave for allegedly “circumventing the President’s Executive Orders” through waiver proposals.
On Monday, the agency faced further disruption as employees were instructed to stay home due to an unexpected headquarters closure. More than 600 staff members reported being locked out of the agency’s computer systems overnight.
The abrupt office shutdown came just days after two top USAID security chiefs were placed on leave for refusing to hand over classified materials to Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) inspection team, citing the team’s lack of proper security clearances.
“USAID is a criminal organization. Time for it to die,” Musk declared on Sunday after his agency was denied access to classified materials.
Musk’s efforts to dismantle USAID—moves he claims have President Donald Trump’s backing—have sparked widespread backlash. Critics argue that since USAID was established by Congress, only lawmakers, not a presidential executive order or unilateral action, have the authority to shut it down.
“These actions by Trump and Musk show America as a nation trampling the rule of law,” said Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.).
Despite the criticism, Musk’s supporters are cheering his aggressive cuts—some even urging him to set his sights on another aid-focused organization.
“@Elonmusk – What about the ‘RedCross’? You game for that?” one user challenged on X. “Have not heard anything on their PiggyBank from USAID.”
“Do Red Cross next!” another begged Musk.
The calls for Musk to target the Red Cross—an independent nonprofit that does not receive regular federal funding—came for a variety of reasons.
One user cited a Red Cross report criticizing the treatment of newly freed Palestinian prisoners, asking Musk and DOGE, “ARE we providing funding to Red Cross?”
“Defund the Red Cross International,” another user demanded.
The post referenced a widely circulated image of a map from a pamphlet given to migrants traveling to the U.S., which provides information on where to find food and water along the route.
“The document, like all humanitarian efforts of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, does not seek to encourage or discourage migration but aims to reduce the vulnerabilities faced by migrants along their journey,” the Red Cross has previously stated.
Despite this, the map is now fueling conspiracy theories about the Red Cross on social media.
“The Red Cross helps in the trafficking of children,” one user claimed in response to the map image. “They steal donated blood to make money. The Red Cross is NOT who you think THEY are.”
Another user, tagging Musk, accused the government and charities of enabling modern slavery: “The US Govt has been abetting SLAVERY in America, along with the charities they fund like the Red Cross, Catholic Charities, Lutheran religious, etc. Cartels turn many ILLEGALS into SLAVES—indentured servants & sex slaves, including children.”
While Musk has not announced any DOGE-related actions against the Red Cross—an organization that does not receive regular federal funding—he appears receptive to conspiracy theories surrounding it.
“I was told that not only is the Red Cross facilitating illegal immigration, they are being paid to do so by the Federal government, specifically the Dept of Homeland Security out of the FEMA budget!” Musk wrote on X in January. “What the heck is going on!?”
