Bill Gates has called out fellow tech billionaire Elon Musk over cuts made to US government spending under his watch through the Department of Government Efficiency, specifically targeting the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Gates warned that the gutting of USAID would lead to millions of deaths around the world.
Gates expressed disappointment and concern over Musk’s actions, saying they deviated from his initial goal of improving efficiency in government. The billionaire Microsoft co-founder pointed out that cutting $2 trillion from a $7 trillion budget is unrealistic and instead targets softer areas like international aid.
Gates also criticized Musk for spreading false information about US foreign assistance, including claims about condoms in Gaza, which Musk later admitted were incorrect. He denounced Musk’s negative characterizations of USAID workers, calling them “heroes” who are crucial to global health efforts.
The Gates Foundation has invested over $100 billion since its founding, partnering with government agencies and other nonprofits globally to tackle major health challenges. Gates believes that cutting 80% of US foreign assistance is a mistake that would result in millions of deaths worldwide.
This criticism comes after an interview where Gates also raised concerns about President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, which Gates sees as creating uncertainty for businesses and consumers.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/09/tech/bill-gates-elon-musk-usaid-cuts-criticism