Bill Gates Slams Elon Musk for Foreign Aid Cuts, Announces Plan to Donate Entire Fortune

Bill Gates Slams Elon Musk for Foreign Aid Cuts, Announces Plan to Donate Entire Fortune

DECK
Microsoft co-founder accuses Musk of endangering lives of poor children by dismantling U.S. foreign aid; Gates pledges to give away $168B fortune and shutter foundation by 2045

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KEY FACTS

• What: Bill Gates announces full donation of personal wealth to Gates Foundation
• Where: In a Financial Times interview, echoed in a blog post and New York Times feature
• When: Announced Thursday, during the foundation’s 25th anniversary
• Who: Gates criticizes Elon Musk and the disbandment of USAID under DOGE
• Why: Gates cites concern over the global health impact of ending foreign aid programs
• Future Plan: Gates Foundation to conclude operations by December 31, 2045

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SITUATION SNAPSHOT
As the Gates Foundation marked its 25th anniversary, its co-founder delivered a dual message of philanthropic urgency and sharp rebuke. In a week marked by shifting fortunes and public debate, Bill Gates committed to giving away his vast wealth while accusing Elon Musk of imperiling the world's most vulnerable through drastic foreign aid cuts.

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WHAT WE KNOW
In a sweeping set of interviews and a personal blog post, Gates confirmed plans to transfer his entire personal fortune—currently valued at $168 billion—into the Gates Foundation over the next 20 years. He also announced that the foundation will wind down operations by the end of 2045, a date earlier than previously anticipated.

The announcement came amid Gates’ public criticism of Elon Musk’s role in dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), following its effective shutdown in February by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative spearheaded by Musk.

Gates expressed grave concern that eliminating USAID funding could reverse decades of progress in combatting diseases like HIV, polio, and measles in impoverished nations.

A spokesperson for DOGE defended Musk’s actions, calling them aligned with efforts to curb government waste under President Trump.

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WHAT’S NEXT
Attention now turns to how the Gates Foundation will allocate its remaining years and resources. With plans to donate an additional $200 billion, the foundation is expected to accelerate investments in global health, poverty alleviation, and education.

Meanwhile, questions linger about whether Musk’s rollback of USAID will be reversed or replaced. Policy analysts anticipate debate on Capitol Hill and possible legislative attempts to restore global development aid.

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VOICES ON THE GROUND
"The picture of the world’s richest man killing the world’s poorest children is not a pretty one," Gates told the Financial Times.

"I’d love for him to go in and meet the children that have now been infected with HIV because he cut that money," he added.

Responding to the criticism, Harrison Fields, spokesperson for DOGE, said: "Elon Musk is a patriot working to fulfill President Trump’s mission to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse... Backbenchers should celebrate the selfless efforts of America’s most innovative entrepreneur, who is dedicating time to support American taxpayers and hold Washington accountable to the people of this great nation."

Gates also reflected on his legacy: "People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that 'he died rich' will not be one of them."

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CONTEXT
Since its launch in 2000, the Gates Foundation has disbursed over $100 billion in philanthropic aid, supporting vaccine distribution, disease eradication, education reform, and agricultural development worldwide. The decision to sunset the organization aligns with Gates’ vision to accelerate its impact.

The closure of USAID—previously a major player in global humanitarian assistance—marks a sharp departure in U.S. foreign policy. Experts note that rebuilding such institutional capacity would take years, if not decades.

Gates, in a February meeting at the White House with President Trump, advocated for preserving foreign aid programs, warning, "Getting those people out there in their depth of experience, that’s an asset that would be very hard to re-create."

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REPORTER INSIGHT
Gates’ parting vision is not merely about wealth redistribution—it’s a plea to global conscience. From the marble floors of Davos to rural vaccination clinics in Africa, his foundation has sought to bridge staggering inequality. In choosing an endpoint for the Gates Foundation, he reinforces the idea that philanthropy, too, must operate with urgency and finality. The question now is whether governments will follow suit—or leave that task to billionaires.