Fri May 09 06:01:24 UTC 2025: ## Billionaire Bill Gates to Donate $200 Billion, Blasts Elon Musk Over Aid Cuts

**NEW DELHI, May 9, 2025** – Bill Gates announced Thursday he will donate $200 billion through his foundation by 2045, sharply criticizing Elon Musk for drastic cuts to US foreign aid. The Microsoft co-founder is accelerating plans to divest nearly his entire fortune, closing the foundation in 2045, years ahead of schedule.

Gates cited the aim of eradicating diseases like polio and malaria, reducing child mortality, and combating global poverty as drivers for the accelerated philanthropy. He directly blamed Musk’s influence on the US government for substantial cuts to the US Agency for International Development (USAID), slashing approximately 80% of its programs. These cuts, Gates warned, will lead to millions of additional deaths in the coming years, reversing decades of progress in global health.

The Gates Foundation’s budget will reach $9 billion annually by 2026 and approximately $10 billion thereafter to facilitate this accelerated spending. Gates emphasized that philanthropic efforts alone cannot compensate for government funding shortfalls and urged governments to prioritize global health initiatives.

Musk, in response to an interview featuring Gates’ warnings, tweeted (since deleted) that Gates “should be in prison,” a statement his spokesperson has yet to address. Despite the considerable resources of the Gates Foundation, which has already disbursed $100 billion since its inception in 2000, Gates stressed the irreplaceable role of governmental support in achieving global health goals. He highlighted the need for continued US funding to eradicate diseases such as polio.

The announcement comes on the foundation’s 25th anniversary and follows a period of strained relations between Gates and Musk. While the two once shared views on philanthropy, their perspectives have diverged significantly, particularly regarding the role of government in global health initiatives. The Gates Foundation has also faced criticism regarding its influence and accountability. Gates himself noted recent conversations with President Trump regarding the importance of global health investments.

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