In today's newsletter: HowElon Musk brought fringe views about USAID into the mainstream. January's jobs report is expected to show that the unemployment rate held steady. And the Eagles have a not-so-secret weapon.

Here's what to know today.

Until recently, Elon Musk seldom posted about the U.S. Agency for International Development on X. That is, until Sunday when he described USAID as “a criminal organization.”

“Time for it to die,” Musk posted.

Though Musk’s sudden interest didn’t come out of nowhere — USAID has long been subject to criticism that its overspends American tax dollars abroad. Some conspiracy theories even alleged that the global humanitarian programs were a cover for biowarfare research or that USAID’s funding enriched a few elites who control the world, but those claims were outside the mainstream. USAID, which delivers billions of dollars of food and medicine to more than 100 countries, enjoyed largely bipartisan support in Washington.

That’s no longer the case. Trump told reporters Monday he appreciated “the concept” of USAID, but the people that worked there “turned out to be radical left lunatics.” He signed an executive order freezing foreign aid, and the agency is expected to be reduced from over 5,000 employees to about 290.

Critical medical supplies, essential medicines and food aid are being withheld from their intended recipients, and aid workers are scrambling to comply with the ordered shutdown of the agency by today.

The impact of conspiracy theories about USAID is already being felt, and a crusade to paint the organization as a malevolent force by Musk threw them into the mainstream.

Follow NBC News' live coverage here.

More politics news:

Here’s what to expect in the January jobs report — and what lies ahead

January’s job report will reveal the last snapshot of the economy during the Biden administration.

It will include revisions to jobs figures going back to March. Those figures are likely to be revised significantly downward, upending the extent of previously reported job gains. The U.S. labor market remains in decent shape, experts say, though there were still some signs of weakness heading into President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Trump’s tariff threats have caused market turbulence, and some Wall Street analysts have signaled they would revise their economic growth estimates should he begin to fully implement them. Other surveys suggested some employers were optimistic that Trump would establish a more business-friendly environment through tax-cut extensions and were indicating they planned to add more workers.

Economists maintain that the U.S labor market is in decent shape, but here’s what to expect.

Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter sentenced to nearly 5 years in gambling-linked theft

Shohei Ohtani's onetime interpreter was sentenced to nearly five years in prison for stealing millions of dollars from the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar to pay off gambling losses.
In addition to the 57-month, sentence, Ippei Mizuhara was also ordered to pay more than $18 million in restitution, with the majority going to Ohtani and the rest to the Internal Revenue Service. The federal judge ruled that Mizuhara should self-surrender March 24. He was also ordered to three years of supervised release after his prison sentence. Mizuhara last year pleaded guilty to bank fraud and subscribing to a false tax return, in connection to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani's bank account. The money was used for gambling and to purchase $325,000 worth of valuable baseball cards, prosecutors and Ohtani's legal team have said.

The Philadelphia Eagles’ not-so-secret weapon

He went from the No. 2 overall NFL draft pick in 2018 to expendable as a New York Giant a few years later. Now, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is on the verge of breaking a rushing record set back in 1998 — and winning a Super Bowl.

After two stellar seasons in New York, Barkley severely injured his right knee, ending his 2020 season after two games. A long recovery later, the Giants grew hesitant to re-sign him, allowing Barkley to join Philadelphia as a free agent. His college position coach at Penn State described the focus, precision and drive that got Barkley from injured and let go to one game away from being a Super Bowl champion.

If the Eagles are able to exact revenge on the defending champion Chiefs, some credit would inevitably go to GM Howie Roseman, whose shrewd decisions in recent offseasons have turned the franchise into an NFL juggernaut.

Another difference maker on Sunday will be whether Kansas City’s defense struggles with the NFL’s Final Boss of quarterback sneaks: the "tush push."

And Philly fans, if your Eagles do hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy on Sunday, your mayor requests that you not climb the light poles or anything else.

A giant leap for roo-kind: Scientists produce first kangaroo embryo through IVF

Time to jump – or hop – for joy. Researchers in Australia have successfully produced kangaroo embryos through IVF, a breakthrough that could help save species at risk of extinction. While the continent’s famous bouncing animals aren’t currently endangered, other species part of the marsupial family – like koalas and Tasmanian devils – are. Scientists can use this new tool to preserve their unique genetic material, creating hope that Australia’s iconic animals can be protected for many years to come.

— Kayla Hayempour, platforms intern

Looking to improve your home's air quality? NBC Select editors spoke with multiple experts to find thebest air purifiersfor small and large spaces. Plus, we asked experts to help us find thebest spin shoesto improve your indoor cycling workout.

Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown. Today's newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Both.

If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send us an email at: MorningRundown@nbcuni.com

If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign up here.