In a recent exchange, Bill Gates has sharply criticized Elon Musk for his role in significant cuts to U.S. foreign aid, particularly programs run by the now-defunct U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Gates accused Musk of contributing to the deaths of impoverished children due to these cuts, stating that Musk’s actions have led to life-saving medicines and food supplies expiring in warehouses. He also highlighted the cancellation of grants to aid a hospital in Gaza, which prevents women from passing HIV to their newborns, under a false claim that the U.S. was distributing condoms to Hamas in the region.
In response, Elon Musk took to Twitter on May 8, dismissing Gates’ allegations with a blunt five-word tweet: “Gates is a huge liar.” This tweet was in reply to a clip of Gates making similar claims on CBS Morning.
The controversy centers around Musk’s leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where he implemented aggressive budget cuts, including the dismantling of USAID. Musk had previously labeled USAID a “criminal organization” and stated it was “time for it to die,” arguing that the agency was beyond reform.
Gates, who has pledged to donate $200 billion over the next 20 years through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, expressed deep concern over the impact of these cuts on global health initiatives. He emphasized the moral imperative of using wealth to address urgent global health issues, citing that lives can still be saved for a relatively low cost.
This exchange underscores the ongoing debate over the role of private individuals in public policy and the ethical responsibilities of the ultra-wealthy in addressing global challenges.