This story was originally published by Dermot Cole, Reporting From Alaska.
Elon Musk, who bought the presidency and the Republican Party for $390 million, claims he has shut down a U.S. agency that bankrolls the International Republican Institute, a organization headed by Sen. Dan Sullivan.
Sullivan is the chairman of the institute, a 42-year-old nonprofit group that advances democracy worldwide.
Sullivan is silent about the Musk attack.
Musk has made up a story that USAID is a “criminal organization” and a “radical left political psy op” that steals tax dollars.
Musk claims that he fed USAID to the “woodchipper” over the weekend and shut it down. By extension he will feed the institute to the woodchipper.
Trump, following Musk’s lead, says USAID is run by “radical left lunatics.”
Musk does not have the authority to destroy USAID, an independent agency that has distributed foreign aid since the Kennedy administration.
“IRI is proud to partner with @USAID in supporting democracy & human rights worldwide,” IRI said on Facebook four months ago, adding that it was proud to be a finalist in a USAID photo contest.
“In 2024, USAID supported the International Republican Institute to organize voter registration mobilization initiatives targeting marginalized communities in Ghana—including the Fulbe, who registered to vote for the first time. USAID believes supporting inclusive participation in political processes deepens democracy, builds social cohesion, and strengthens resilience against violent extremism,” USAID said.
Institute chairman Sullivan has said nothing so far about the attack on USAID.
Sullivan became chairman of the institute in 2018 after the death of its former chairman, Sen. John McCain.
Unlike Sullivan, McCain would not have hesitated to take on Musk and Trump for their attempt to shut down USAID on a whim.
On its website, the institute has plenty of good advice about protecting democracy that is pertinent right now in the United States.
The threat to democracy from the Musk regime is extreme, though you wouldn’t know it from the public comments of Sullivan, who chooses silence or flattery when it comes to Trump and Musk.
In December, Sullivan said he was “excited to be an original member of the Senate DOGE caucus.”
Instead of fawning over Musk and Trump, Sullivan should read what the International Republican Institute has to say about representative government:
“At IRI, we understand that advancing democracy worldwide is about empowering individuals on a personal level. Once people can raise their voices without fear, and participate in a free and fair political process, they will finally have the tools they need to build a democratic destiny in the country they call home.”
“Since our founding in 1983, in over 100 countries, IRI has been working to strengthen civil society, political parties, marginalized communities, and other key areas essential to democratic governance. We encourage democracy in places where it is absent, help democracy become more effective where it is in danger and share best practices where democracy is flourishing.”
“Today, more people than ever before are raising their voices and expressing their desire to live in a democratic society. They wish to be citizens, not subjects. IRI hears their call and remains more committed to our mission with each passing day.
“For democracy to succeed, everyone must be given a chance to participate. No one is too small to make a difference.”
It’s worth repeating that Sullivan has said nothing.
Sullivan did have his name placed on an IRI press release January 21 at which he praised former IRI board member Marco Rubio, now the secretary of state, for being an ardent champion of democracy around the world.
After Musk claimed to have shut down USAID, Rubio claimed to be the acting director of USAID, taking over the independent agency.
Dermot Cole has worked as a newspaper reporter, columnist and author in Alaska for more than 40 years. Support his work here.
