Follow the Money: Lutheran Organizations, USAID and the Taxpayer’s Burden
Recent revelations about the massive sums of taxpayer money funneled into Lutheran organizations have sparked a heated debate about financial accountability, and at the center of it all are two high-profile figures: Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn and Elon Musk.
Flynn ignited the controversy by alleging that certain Lutheran organizations have been engaged in “money laundering.” He pointed to a spreadsheet documenting how Lutheran-affiliated groups received $628.3 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in just over two months following the 2024 election. “These entities are receiving huge sums, which raise serious questions about how taxpayer funds are being spent and who’s benefiting,” Flynn states.
Elon Musk, recently tapped by the Trump administration to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, amplified Flynn’s concerns, sharing the spreadsheet and vowing that his team is “rapidly shutting down these illegal payments.”
Now it’s the “Lutheran” faith (this use of “religion” as a money laundering operation must end):
— General Mike Flynn (@GenFlynn) February 2, 2025
Lutheran Family Services and affiliated organizations receive massive amounts of taxpayer dollars, and the numbers speak for themselves. These funds, total BILLIONS of American… pic.twitter.com/IaTG2uNXRB
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The Bigger Picture: USAID and Taxpayer Waste
The revelations about Lutheran organizations are just the tip of the iceberg.
Across the federal government, billions of taxpayer dollars are being mismanaged, often without transparency. One of the biggest offenders? The United States Agency for International Development, or USAID.
Karoline Leavitt just wrapped up her White House press conference with another shocking list of absurdities USAID has been funding:
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 5, 2025
– $2 million for sex changes in Guatemala
– $6 million to fund tourism in Egypt
– $20 million on a new Sesame Street show in Iraq
– $4.5 million to… pic.twitter.com/PrVpfrlTsX
USAID has long been criticized for reckless spending, and Musk isn’t holding back. “It became apparent that it’s not an apple with a worm in it,” Musk said. “What we have is just a ball of worms. You’ve got to basically get rid of the whole thing. It’s beyond repair.” This assessment has led to serious discussions about whether USAID should be shut down entirely due to its chronic mismanagement of funds.
Politico and the Media’s Role
Beyond USAID, millions in government funds have also been quietly directed toward news outlets like Politico, raising concerns about whether taxpayer money is being used to shape narratives rather than inform the public. These revelations underscore the need for greater scrutiny into how public funds are being allocated and who truly benefits from these transactions.
The Politico scandal is worse than you think.
— Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) February 5, 2025
It’s not $8M that Politico received from USAID.
It’s $34.3M that Politico has received from various swampy federal govt agencies.
Politico is, without a doubt, a totally corrupt propaganda arm of the swamp.
Follow along below. pic.twitter.com/OxF7Zrc4GP
As reported by The Christian Post, Global Refuge, the organization at the heart of the Lutheran controversy, strongly denies any wrongdoing. In a statement, they asserted: “Global Refuge condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the false accusations lodged against our humanitarian work. As a faith-based nonprofit, we have faithfully walked alongside legally admitted refugees and immigrants for more than 85 years.”
Still, the sheer volume of taxpayer money flowing into these organizations raises valid questions. Whether it’s Lutheran nonprofits, USAID or media outlets like Politico, the need for transparency and accountability has never been greater. American taxpayers deserve to know where their money is going and whether it is truly being used for the purposes intended.
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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
