by In a candid interview with The New York Times, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates took aim at both Elon Musk and the cryptocurrency DOGE, making strong accusations about the impact of Musk’s actions on global poverty.
Gates Calls DOGE “Geographically Illiterate”
During the interview, Gates referred to DOGE as “geographically illiterate,” pointing out a lack of understanding regarding the real-world impact of certain decisions. This comment came as part of a broader critique of Musk, who has been outspoken about his support for various causes and financial ventures, including DOGE, the cryptocurrency that Musk has promoted.
Musk’s Role in Foreign Aid Cuts
Gates didn’t hold back when discussing Musk’s involvement in cutting foreign aid through his Department of Government Efficiency initiative. He accused Musk of contributing to “the deaths of the world’s poorest children” by drastically reducing the budget of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a key organization that provides critical humanitarian aid.
“He’s the one who cut the USAID budget,” Gates said. “He put it in the wood chipper because he didn’t go to a party that weekend. The world’s richest man has been involved in the deaths of the world’s poorest children.”
Gates highlighted specific examples of the consequences of such cuts, including the loss of funding to vital programs in Gaza Province, Mozambique, which provided HIV prevention resources for mothers. According to Gates, this budget reduction could result in the spread of HIV to infants who would have otherwise been protected by the program.
Geographical Misunderstandings
Gates also criticized the lack of geographical understanding among those making these decisions. He noted that while some officials believed the cuts were related to Gaza, they were actually impacting a different region entirely — Mozambique. This geographical illiteracy, according to Gates, led to serious health consequences for vulnerable populations.
Previous Tensions Between Gates and Musk
This is not the first time Bill Gates has publicly criticized Elon Musk. In the past, Gates has accused Musk of destabilizing foreign politics with his support for right-wing causes in countries like the United Kingdom and Germany. Although Gates acknowledges the environmental benefits of Tesla, he has also expressed disappointment with Musk’s reluctance to speak out on climate issues.
Musk, for his part, has fired back, claiming that Gates has a “limited” understanding of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
Bill Gates’ Future Plans
Gates shared that he plans to donate the remainder of his wealth over the next 20 years, with plans to close the Gates Foundation by 2045. The foundation has invested heavily in global public health initiatives, with a focus on childhood diseases.
Both Gates and Musk have been key figures in the tech and philanthropy spaces, but their public rivalry continues to capture attention.
