Calling all billionaires

U.S. funding cuts to humanitarian aid programs have had dire consequences, especially in Sudan. The U.S. previously funded community soup kitchens. Without those community kitchens, babies and children have now starved to death. In this episode, we discuss The Washington Post's latest reporting on Sudan and other options for funding. European nations? Persian Gulf countries? Russia or China? We're going to explore these options and give a quick update on Israel and Gaza. All in under 15 minutes!

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Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome
• 0:22 Update on Israel and Gaza
• 2:13 U.S. funding cuts have impacted Sudan's children
• 5:41 Calling all billionaires
• 7:23 Until next time!

Transcript

Welcome to The Friday Brief, a news podcast by Girl Friday. I’m Phoenix Ricks, the CEO of Girl Friday and your host. This is your brief for June 30, 2025. 

As the U.S. waits on pins and needles for the outcome of the One Big Beautiful Bill vote in the Senate, Donald Trump is preparing to, once again, host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House next week. The AP reported that Trump is still pushing for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, along with a hostage agreement. The AP says this visit, which will be Netanyahu’s third White House trip since Trump took office in January, was confirmed by unnamed officials who were not allowed to speak publicly on the record. This visit is a little bit different from the first two, in my opinion, however, because Trump is now dealing with the fallout from his MAGA base. They believed he would not insert the U.S. into any foreign wars or conflicts. You may recall during election season that one of the key MAGA talking points was that Democrats would potentially get the country involved in a war. Odd, given the U.S.’s most recent history with foreign wars - they were initiated by Republicans in charge. 

After the U.S. struck Iran’s nuclear sites, there were lots of heated conversations on social media about that broken promise or the perception of that broken promise. However, for now at least, it does seem that the U.S. government does not wish to remain engaged in any conflict between Israel and Iran. While Trump has publicly signaled wanting an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, it doesn’t seem that Israel is going to stop its military campaign even for a nanosecond before an agreement is signed. The AP reported today that Israel’s military killed at least 74 people. An airstrike on a seaside cafe killed 30 people, and then another 23 were killed by gunfire while trying to get food. According to a witness in the AP’s article, the cafe that was struck was filled with women and children. 

Meanwhile, in Sudan, we’re now seeing the results of cuts to U.S. foreign assistance. Of course, these cuts, especially those made via USAID, have impacted numerous programs across many countries; however, the cuts are particularly severe in Sudan right now. They relied heavily on our funding for basic necessities and lifesaving medicine. The Washington Post interviewed civilians and clinicians to learn more about what has happened since Trump announced funding cuts. In a previous episode of The Friday Brief, I shared information about the community soup kitchens in Sudan that received U.S. funding. I worried that those kitchens might close, and as a result, children could starve to death. That has sadly now happened. The Washington Post says, “babies starved quietly,” and their “older siblings died begging for food.” Doctors told reporters that the funding cuts also meant medicine was not delivered, making it hard to stop cholera outbreaks. The World Health Organization says, “An estimated 5 million Sudanese people may lose access to lifesaving health services as a result of the U.S. cuts.” 

The Washington Post requested comments from the State Department. In response, the press office wrote that the agency was “reorienting our foreign assistance programs to align directly with what is best for the United States. We are continuing lifesaving programs and making strategic investments that strengthen other nations and our own country.” The statement went on to say, “Americans are the most charitable and humanitarian-minded people in the world. It’s time for other countries to step up in providing lifesaving aid.” 

But which countries will fill that need? Let’s take a look at Europe. Some of Europe’s wealthiest nations, including the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, have all signaled that they have already reduced or intend to reduce humanitarian funding soon. There are economic reasons, like defense funding and processing an overwhelming number of refugees and asylum seekers in Europe. But I have to wonder, will the number of refugees decrease as the world’s richest nations collectively stop supporting critical programs in nations where people have only the choice to starve or leave? 

Then you look at other major world players, including countries that apparently have the capital to fund ongoing wars. Well, they aren’t donating at the rate the U.S. was, that’s for sure. For instance, The Washington Post says that “Russia and China rarely fund humanitarian work; wealthy Persian Gulf countries tend to work outside established foreign aid systems.” Tom Fletcher with the United Nations said, “We have been forced into a triage of human survival.” Without the U.S., who can fund this necessary assistance? 

In my opinion, billionaires. No, it should not be their personal responsibility, but to remix John F. Kennedy’s famous quote, perhaps they could, in this dire time, ask not what the world can do for them, but what they can do for the world. There are billionaires, such as Jeff Bezos, who have more wealth than the GDP of many stable countries. I know that everyone has the right to spend their money as they see fit, but if Bezos were to donate the cost of his Venice wedding to aid agencies working in Sudan, he could fill the community soup kitchens with food. He could feed thousands of children who are at risk of dying from starvation. He could prevent cholera outbreaks and treat people with preventable illnesses. He could fund lifesaving HIV/AIDS medicine. In turn, I think he would be forever known and appreciated as a great humanitarian. And just think, he’s far from the planet’s only billionaire. 

Imagine if even ten multibillionaires decided to collaborate to fill the pressing humanitarian aid gaps left by the current U.S. administration. It would not come close to breaking their banks. They would absolutely still be multibillionaires at the end of that funding round. If a group of billionaires were to decide to make this possible and needed ideas and an immediate strategy, I know many former USAID employees who would be delighted to assist. 

Thank you for listening to The Friday Brief. We are now on daily, so make sure you and your friends don’t miss an episode! Check out thefridaybrief.com, and follow The Friday Brief on Instagram and TikTok. Until next time, I’m Phoenix Ricks signing off from Washington, DC. Let’s work together for a world of good.