Bill Gates, the 69-year-old tech titan and co-founder of Microsoft, isn't just talking about changing the world anymore – he's putting his money where his mouth is, and he's not afraid to name names in the process! In a bombshell announcement that's sending shockwaves through the philanthropic and tech communities, Gates has pledged to donate a jaw-dropping $200 billion through his charitable foundation by the year 2045. Yes, you read that right – that's a two followed by eleven zeros!
Gates also launched a blistering attack on none other than Elon Musk, the world's richest individual and the enigmatic CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. Accusing Musk of "killing the world's poorest children," Gates didn't mince words when discussing the massive cuts to the U.S. foreign aid budget, cuts that Gates lays squarely at Musk's feet. This isn't your typical billionaire banter; this is a full-blown feud with potentially devastating real-world consequences.
Bill Gates, who co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (now the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) with his then-wife Melinda French Gates back in 2000, announced that he's dramatically accelerating his plans to divest almost his entire fortune. The foundation, which has already given away an astounding $100 billion since its inception on its 25th anniversary, is now set to close its doors on December 31, 2045 – years earlier than initially anticipated. Joined in their philanthropic endeavors by billionaire investor Warren Buffett, the foundation has been a powerhouse in tackling global health issues and poverty, backing crucial initiatives like Gavi (the vaccine group) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, helping to save millions of lives in the process.
Gates believes this accelerated distribution of funds will be crucial in achieving several of his long-standing goals, including the eradication of crippling diseases like polio and malaria, ending preventable deaths among women and children, and making significant strides in reducing global poverty. His urgency is palpable, fueled by recent moves by governments, including the Trump administration, to drastically slash international aid budgets – funds that are often the last line of defense against deadly diseases and famine in the world's most vulnerable regions.
And here's where Elon Musk enters the fray as the alleged antagonist in this real-life drama. Gates pointedly accused Musk, who has reportedly overseen these U.S. aid cuts through his "Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)" – a name dripping with Musk's signature meme-infused style – of orchestrating this devastating reduction. Gates cited reports that around 80% of USAID programs are slated to be cut, a staggering blow to an agency that spent $44 billion worldwide in fiscal year 2023 on critical aid initiatives.
"The picture of the world's richest man killing the world's poorest children is not a pretty one," Gates stated starkly in an interview with the Financial Times, pulling no punches in his assessment of Musk's alleged role.
In a separate interview with Reuters, Gates issued a chilling warning about the potential fallout from these widespread funding cuts by governments across the globe. He predicted a stark reversal of decades of progress in reducing mortality rates within the next four to six years. "The number of deaths will start going up for the first time... it's going to be millions more deaths because of the resources," Gates grimly told Reuters, painting a bleak picture of the human cost of these budgetary decisions.
To counteract this looming crisis, the Gates Foundation is ramping up its annual spending, with its budget set to reach a staggering $9 billion by 2026 and around $10 billion annually thereafter. However, Gates has made it clear in no uncertain terms to the White House that his foundation, no matter how deep its pockets, and other philanthropic organizations simply cannot fill the gaping holes left by governments withdrawing their support. "I think governments will come back to caring about children surviving" over the next 20-year period though, Gates optimistically noted on Thursday, holding onto a sliver of hope for a future reversal.
The relationship between Gates and Musk, once seemingly aligned on the importance of wealthy individuals giving back to society, has clearly soured in recent times, with several public clashes marking their diverging worldviews. When asked if he had recently appealed to Musk to reconsider his stance on aid cuts, Gates indicated that the ball is now in Congress's court, emphasizing the legislative branch's role in determining the future of U.S. aid spending.
Musk, never one to shy away from a digital sparring match, responded to Gates' accusations via a tweet on his X social media platform (formerly Twitter), labeling Gates a "huge liar." However, official spokespeople for Musk were not immediately available to provide further comment on the escalating feud.
Despite his foundation's immense resources, Gates stressed that meaningful progress on global issues remains impossible without sustained government support. "There are too many urgent problems to solve for me to hold onto resources that could be used to help people," Gates wrote in a poignant post on his website, highlighting the urgency driving his accelerated philanthropy. He also expressed concern about the future commitment of wealthy nations, stating, "It's unclear whether the world's richest countries will continue to stand up for its poorest people."
While acknowledging some positive responses to aid cuts in Africa, where certain governments have reallocated budgets to compensate, Gates used the example of polio eradication to illustrate the critical need for U.S. funding, suggesting that this long-sought goal may be unattainable without it.
In reflecting on his life's work and the values instilled in him, Gates poignantly told Reuters, "The world does have values. That's what my parents taught me." This personal touch underscores the deep-seated moral conviction driving his philanthropic endeavors and his passionate opposition to the aid cuts.
As Bill Gates accelerates his plan to give away his vast fortune and engages in a high-profile battle with Elon Musk over the future of global aid, the world watches with bated breath. This isn't just a clash of titans; it's a debate with profound implications for the lives of millions of the world's most vulnerable. Will Gates' billions and his powerful voice be enough to counter the tide of government cuts? And what will be the ultimate human cost of this ideological and financial tug-of-war? This is a story far from over, and the stakes couldn't be higher.
