WASHINGTON — Elon Musk, a senior advisor to President Donald Trump, has accused the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) of funding the Taliban and Iraqi political figures, while also alleging the deletion of a terabyte of financial data in an attempt to conceal the activity.
Musk, who currently leads the Department of Government Efficiency, claimed the U.S. government deleted critical financial records to obscure illicit funding channels. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, he said his team recovered the data despite the alleged effort to erase it.
“They deleted a terabyte of financial data to cover their crimes,” Musk said. “But they don’t understand technology. We recovered it.”
Musk did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegations, and the USIP has not responded publicly. The organization, a congressionally funded institute founded in 1984, is tasked with conflict resolution and peacebuilding around the world.
Musk’s remarks come amid growing scrutiny from the Trump administration over foreign aid spending. President Trump has repeatedly criticized U.S. assistance to international organizations and governments, characterizing much of it as misused. On January 20, the president signed an executive order imposing significant cuts to U.S. foreign aid, part of what the White House has described as a broader realignment of international engagement.
While it remains unclear how the recovered data will be used, Musk indicated further disclosures may follow. He also linked his accusations to a broader push by the administration to audit U.S. financial support for foreign programs and entities deemed contrary to American interests.
The White House has not commented on Musk’s statements.
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