Former US national Mike Benz has claimed that USAID has trained music musicians, including Dua Lipa, Pussy Riot, and perhaps Taylor Swift, to work as “assets” in spreading democratic stories for diplomacy purposes. He suggested that these initiatives are a part of a larger campaign to destabilize institutions and influence public opinion.
According to Benz, “celebrities who can be trained to distribute desired messaging” are constantly sought out and used as “network vertices.” He cited USAID-backed song politics programs and NATO-linked initiatives as the main owners behind these efforts. Taylor Swift has engaged in a number of activities that have been experimentally demonstrated to improve government efforts, he said, citing her engagement with voter engagement and common health campaigns.
He also cited the Pentagon’s participation in the music business, alleging that military financing has had a significant impact on shaping social narratives. ” Look at who is currently South by Southwest’s biggest partner in Texas. It’s the defense. If you want to learn more about South by Southwest Pentagon cash, go ahead and investigate the incident. They’ve taken over the music business because it’s hearts and minds work”, Benz said.
According to Benz, the US government has used similar techniques widespread, mainly through USAID’s music politics system. ” Just like they were giving Dua Lipa the honours, just like they’re working with Pussy Riot, just like they have 22… In truth, you can look this up if you want—the State Department Music Diplomacy Program. Twenty-two performers. You’ll see afterwards, these people become community networks. They turn into “assets to perform with”
He added that USAID has supported painters in different nations in order to spread anti-government attitude. ” There’s evidence to suggest the same sing around recruiting hip-hop painters in Cuba”, Benz said. ” It was opposition stone, it was protest music. In Cuba, for that USAID function, it was opposition rap”.
He made reference to a report from The Grayzone, which supposedly revealed that Bangladeshi programs funded by the United States had written rap songs to promote democratic reform and street protests. The two rap tracks in Bangladesh, which were released as part of The Grayzone’s publication, have lines that appear to be those intended to stir up anti-government mood and promote street protests and democratic reform. I mean, actually creating rap albums to compel people to take to the roads and carry out the exact mob the State Department wants to destabilize the nation.
In response to a movie discussing these statements, Benz reiterated that the State Department had recruited 22 artists from different countries, including Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Cameroon, France, India, and South Africa, to educate them in “youth commitment and using craft as activism”. The system involved bringing these players to Washington, DC, for an intense training time.
However, a group post on social media disproved Benz’s claims, claiming that USAID’s funding of a music school in Kosovo was the only known evidence of its involvement. The word detailed USAID’s support for the launch of the Allegra School of Arts in Gjakova, which would provide a proper musical education to young Kosovars.
Benz’s remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of US international control plans, especially under the Trump administration. Lately, Elon Musk has even criticised USAID and other organizations, calling for their destroying. Musser questioned how little democracy has been achieved recently by organizations like the National Endowment for Democracy in their reported missions.
