2025-05-09T15:32:00Z

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In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Microsoft co-founder and prominent philanthropist Bill Gates voiced his concern over significant reductions in foreign aid funding initiated by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Gates specifically pointed to the effects these cuts could have on vulnerable populations, particularly children living in impoverished conditions. He accused Musk of indirectly 'killing the world’s poorest children' through his actions, which he argues have serious implications for public health.

Gates referenced a troubling trend that has emerged since February 2025, when Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) declared the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) a 'criminal organization' and subsequently shut it down. This dramatic decision was framed by Musk as a necessary measure, claiming that it was 'time for it to die.' However, Gates countered that this abrupt halt in funding has resulted in life-saving food and medicines sitting idle in warehouses, ultimately depriving vulnerable communities of the essential aid they desperately need.

One of the most alarming impacts of these cuts, according to Gates, is their contribution to a potential rise in the prevalence of diseases such as measles, HIV, and polio. He highlighted the situation in Gaza Province, Mozambique, where crucial grants for hospitals have been cancelled due to these funding reductions. 'I’d love for him to go in and meet the children that have now been infected with HIV because he cut that money,' Gates stated, emphasizing the real-world consequences of policy decisions made by those in power.

In the same interview, Gates shared his vision for the future of his philanthropic work, revealing his intention to spend the bulk of his fortune over the next 20 years. He announced that the Gates Foundation plans to allocate approximately $200 billion to address global health, development, and education issues, with plans to close its doors by 2045. 'We’ll have a lot more money because we’re spending down over the 20 years, as opposed to making an effort to be a perpetual foundation,' Gates explained.

Gates further detailed that the foundation’s annual budget will rise to around $10 billion, focusing predominantly on global health initiatives, including vaccines and maternal and child health. However, he warned that private philanthropy alone cannot bridge the gap left by the cuts to USAID, which had a budget of approximately $44 billion last year. This stark contrast underscores the challenges that philanthropic organizations face in addressing global health crises without adequate governmental support.