Bill Gates reclaims the future of global philanthropy with a $200 billion pledge by 2045, slamming Elon Musk over massive cuts to U.S. foreign aid.
Gates Commits to Historic $200B Pledge
Bill Gates reclaims the future of global philanthropy, announcing plans to give away $200 billion through his charitable foundation by 2045. This accelerated timeline will see the Gates Foundation close its doors on December 31, 2045, as the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft pushes to eradicate deadly diseases, reduce child mortality, and combat extreme poverty.
A Critical Mission for Global Health
Gates’ ambitious plan aims to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues, including polio, malaria, and preventable childhood deaths. His foundation, which will ramp up its annual budget to $10 billion by 2026, seeks to fill gaps in healthcare left by significant cuts to U.S. foreign aid — a move Gates argues will cost millions of lives.
A Harsh Critique of Musk’s Policies
During his announcement, Gates didn’t hold back in criticizing Elon Musk, accusing the Tesla and SpaceX CEO of “killing the world’s poorest children” by overseeing massive cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) budget. According to Gates, these reductions will lead to a sharp rise in preventable deaths over the next four to six years.
Musk, who rebranded USAID’s funding as DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), has slashed approximately 80% of the agency’s global programs, which distributed $44 billion in 2023. Gates argues that such drastic cuts could reverse decades of progress in reducing global mortality.
“Foundations Can’t Replace Governments”
Gates also stressed that private philanthropy cannot fully replace government funding, noting that his foundation alone cannot bridge the financial gaps left by these aid reductions. “I think governments will come back to caring about children surviving,” Gates said, expressing hope for a policy shift in the coming decades.
Musk’s Response
Musk, known for his bold online presence, responded sharply to Gates’ critique, calling him a “huge liar” in a tweet on his X social media platform. He has not offered further comment on the matter.
A Divisive Debate Over the Role of the Ultra-Wealthy
Gates and Musk, once aligned on the importance of philanthropy, have clashed repeatedly in recent years over the best ways for billionaires to impact the world. With this latest conflict, their diverging visions for the future have become even more apparent.
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