Bill Gates makes serious allegation against Elon Musk: "He's involved in the deaths of the world's poorest kids"
Bill Gates has harshly criticized Elon Musk, claiming that his actions contributed to the deaths of the world's poorest children, following Musk's role in slashing USAID’s budget.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates slammed Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk during an interview with The New York Times. After examining the budget cuts to USAID programs that led to the unceremonious termination of initiatives to combat HIV, malaria, and polio, Gates stated, "He could have been a terrific philanthropist, but now, he’s just the richest man in the world leading to the deaths of the poorest kids in the world.”
Gates claimed Musk was responsible for the budget cuts: "He was the one who slashed the USAID budget. He put it in the shredder, all because he didn’t go to a party that weekend." Gates also announced that, after 25 years of operation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will permanently close in 2045. Over its history, the foundation has invested more than $100 billion into global health and human development, and now plans to double that amount over the next 20 years.
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Bill Gates' serious accusation against Elon Musk
Bill Gates accused Musk for the death of children living in extreme poverty because he suggested that the destruction of USAID was the cause. This destruction was through DOGE, an organization Musk backed with the permission of the government of the US.
Gates had then criticized the action and associated it with various medicines (and food) not being delivered to very vulnerable places, Co-Threatening key public health programs - - Gates noted a hospital in Mozambique doing mother to child transmission of HIV.
Notably, Musk defended his cuts to USAID and stated that he was confused between the African Province of Gaza and the Palestinian territory of Gaza.
Why the rivalry between Bill Gates and Elon Musk?
The feud between two of the world's most notable tech entrepreneurs - both in their different ways of thinking about the future - has been of interest, not least for the public aspects of their disagreements.
Part of the strain between them started when Gates disclosed he had shorted Tesla stock (against which Musk felt was a contradiction to the climate change effort). This was only escalated by Gates' criticisms when the pandemic, he made comments around COVID-19 issues and Musk.
In addition to the personal grievances, they both represent fundamentally different stories of innovation. Gates' story focuses on philanthropy - global health and education, while Musk's is about futuristic projects (e.g. Mars colonization, artificial intelligence, and electric mobility).
There are also differences in their ways of communicating. Gates remains reserved (therefore institutional), while Musk occupies a more provocative approach and activity on social media.
Bill Gates announces foundation's closure in 2045
Gates confirmed that Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will dissolve on December 31, 2045. The billionaire intends to give away 99% of his wealth before that time and plans to give away over $200 billion in the next 20 years, toward issues including ending infectious disease, reducing extreme poverty, and preventing maternal and child deaths.
The foundation has invested over $100 billion in humanitarian and scientific projects since 2000. Gates hopes this news will combat declining government support for international aid, while also comparing himself to Musk to illustrate how far he feels Musk has set back aid funding.
He announced the dissolution of the foundation would allow for Gates' remaining wealth to move on to philanthropic organizations.
