Secretary of State Marco Rubio Reaffirms Support for PEPFAR, Calls for More Efficient Foreign Aid Spending

Washington, D.C. – February 10, 2025: During an interview on SiriusXM Patriot with Scott Jennings, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed his support for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), while emphasizing the need for a more focused and efficient approach to foreign aid spending.

“I’m a supporter of PEPFAR. I have been in Congress. I am now as Secretary of State. It’s a program we want to continue,” Rubio said.

However, he also noted that the initiative should shrink over time as it successfully prevents the spread of HIV.

“The goal was always an AIDS-free generation, so no child was born with HIV,” he added.

Rubio acknowledged the importance of U.S. humanitarian assistance but argued that the traditional definition of “humanitarian aid” has expanded beyond essential, lifesaving programs.

“That doesn’t mean they’re bad ideas. Someone should do it. It just shouldn’t be the American taxpayer,” he stated.

The Secretary of State assured that crucial aid initiatives, such as fighting hunger and preventing destabilization that could lead to extremist threats, remain priorities for the U.S. government.

He also clarified that a recent waiver has ensured the continuation of lifesaving assistance programs, despite temporary delays in funding distribution.

“We’re not walking away from foreign aid,” Rubio emphasized.

“We are walking away from foreign aid that’s dumb, that’s stupid, that wastes American taxpayer money.”

His comments come amidst ongoing discussions in Washington over the future of U.S. foreign aid and its effectiveness, with the Trump administration facing pressures to balance budget constraints with strategic humanitarian efforts worldwide.