Trending Now - Ebola Response Hindered by Funding Cuts, Experts Caution

WHO:

Yahoo - President Donald Trump’s administration has barred top federal health experts from joining World Health Organization (WHO) discussions on Ebola.

Vox - Elon Musk attended a Cabinet meeting.

Truthout - Experts warned about the impact of funding cuts on Ebola response.

WHAT:

Yahoo - A May 18 email stated, “We’ll be operating in the same manner for Ebola as we have been doing for Hantavirus, assembling a small group of experts — no more than three — to participate.”

Yahoo - Following the report, the permitted number of experts allowed to attend WHO meetings was raised to 30.

Vox - Musk admitted to having “accidentally canceled” Ebola prevention.

Truthout - Cuts to USAID and WHO likely stalled the response to Ebola.

Truthout - Facilities in affected areas are operating without basic protective supplies.

WHERE:

Truthout - Affected areas refer to regions impacted by Ebola.

WHEN:

Vox - Musk brandished a chainsaw on a conservative conference stage last February.

WHY:

Yahoo - Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the US from the WHO on January 20, 2025.

Vox - Musk's actions were part of his effort to obliterate the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

HOW:

Yahoo - The restrictions on expert communication with WHO were first put in place during the hantavirus outbreak.

Vox - Musk's admission was made during a Cabinet meeting.

(UPDATED May 27, 2026 18:01 UTC)

President Trump’s administration has restricted top federal health experts from participating in World Health Organization discussions on Ebola, following an email from May 18 that outlined a plan to limit participation to just three experts. In response to this report, the number of experts allowed to attend WHO meetings has now been increased to thirty. These restrictions were initially implemented during the hantavirus outbreak, and they come after Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the U.S. from the WHO on January 20, 2025.

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(UPDATED May 27, 2026 16:34 UTC)

Elon Musk attended a Cabinet meeting where he admitted to having “accidentally canceled” Ebola prevention efforts, which experts warn could severely impact the response to the outbreak. Cuts to funding for USAID and the World Health Organization have likely stalled crucial support, leaving facilities in affected areas without basic protective supplies. Musk's actions, which he previously showcased by brandishing a chainsaw at a conservative conference last February, are part of his broader effort to undermine USAID.