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Simon Collins, HIV i-Base<\/strong><\/p>\n In giving the annual Martin Delaney presentation at the opening ceremony of CROI 2026, US activist Peter Staley spoke about responses to the ongoing devastation caused by the Trump administration since January last year.<\/strong><\/p>\n Using examples from the history of activist responses to HIV \u2013 that were likely news to many in the audience \u2013 his talk focussed<\/span> on strategies to limit the destruction for when the political pendulum swings back and a new US administration is elected.<\/p>\n “We all knew Trump\u2019s second term would be worse than his first, but few of us were prepared for the level of destruction, and the speed of it, that started immediately after his inauguration.”<\/em><\/p>\n “The world\u2019s richest man, Elon Musk, tweeted, ‘USAID is a criminal organisation \u2013 time for it to die.’ Its already small budget, just $10 billion a year, was eviscerated. It\u2019s worth noting that Musk\u2019s wealth grew last year by $300 billion.”<\/em><\/p>\n “It filled me with rage. How could rich and\/or powerful men \u2013 Musk, Rubio, Trump \u2013 intentionally cause this?”<\/em><\/p>\n His talked received a standing ovation.<\/p>\n The speech is the only talk from CROI that has been made immediately available and it can now be watched online<\/a>.<\/p>\n Peter has also made the transcription of his talk<\/a>\u00a0available. (PDF).<\/p>\n Reference<\/p>\n