Credit: U2start / Gage Skidmore
U2 frontman Bono has condemned Elon Musk for the cuts he made while in charge of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
While he headed up the government department, the Tesla owner spearheaded a cost-cutting measure, including dissolving the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which has had consequences on global healthcare.
Bono, who co-founded ONE, a non-profit focused on helping Africans live healthier lives, in 2004, has now spoken out against DOGE, as well as the Trump administration during a new interview with The New York Times.
He firstly said about the political landscape in the US, “Because I think this is the most extraordinary moment. I mean, this is the greatest heist in the history of the world: stealing America. And it’s not a caper movie. It’s real, and it’s happening.”
When asked if he can “see evil” in the decisions made by DOGE and the Trump administration, Bono replied, “For general clues on evil, look at the abuse of children. That’s always a clue. I don’t know how many fatalities will eventually be attributed to the DOGE cuts.”
The singer continued, “There are many different estimates. If you go to, say, The Lancet, they suggest, I think, up to 2030, maybe five million children under 5.”
Bono added, “What Christian household, what Catholic household, what Jewish household, anyone of faith, in fact anyone of conscience, would allow the hemorrhaging of human life that is going to happen as a result of these DOGE cuts? It’s unconscionable.”
The U2 frontman then warned that what is going on “with the man whose name shall not be mentioned is something way bigger than the man”, before adding, “This greatest heist in the history of the world? It’s the crown jewels. It’s freedom. It’s democracy.”
In the same interview, Bono stated that the Republican Party has been “hijacked” in an “aggressive takeover” and encouraged the “good people who vote conservative” to take back control of the political party.
He highlighted, “I want to invite them back. I want them to return. People vote conservative for all kinds of reasons that are OK.”
Meanwhile, last week, U2 confirmed the first dates for their 2027 world tour in support of their new album, Carnaval De Luz, which is set for release on November 13th.
The tour will kick off in February with two nights in Mexico City, at the Estadio GNP Seguros. Moving into March, they will then make their way to São Paulo for two nights at the Estádio MorumBIS on March 10th and 12th.
From there, U2 have unveiled two more dates over in Buenos Aires at the Estadio River Plate on March 23rd and 25th. Beck will join them at all shows.
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