In the last week, Bill Gates he accused twice Elon Musk of “Killing” children in the poorest countries of the world by cutting foreign help as head of the government efficiency department (DOGEfor its acronym in English).
Microsoft’s co -founder and multimillionaire philanthropist accused Musk of having put in a “crusher” to the United States Agency for International development (Usaidfor its acronym in English).
According to Gates, the decision to dismantle the agency, held by Musk in February, left essential food and medicines in stores, without being distributed. In addition, he said that this He undermines decades of advances in the fight against diseases such as measles, HIV and polio.
The businessman also asked if the executive director of Tesla and Spacex will fulfill the commitment he signed in 2012 to donate at least half of his wealth to charity works. “It could become a great philanthropist. But, meanwhile, the richest man in the world has been involved in the death of the poorest children in the world”He said in an interview with The New York Times Magazine.
At 69, Gates on Thursday announced plans to spend almost all his fortune in the next 20 years, during which he estimates that its foundation will invest more than 200 billion dollars in global health, development and education. The Gates Foundation will close its doors in 2045.
In another interview that provided The Financial Timesit was even harder: “The image of the richest man in the world killing the poorest children in the world It is not pleasant “he said.
-In addition, he said that Musk He canceled subsidies to a hospital in the province of Gaza, in Mozambiquewhich aims to prevent women from transmitting HIV to their babies, because it erroneously believed that the US provided condoms to Hamas in Gaza, in the Middle East. “I would love him to be and meet the children who have now been infected with HIV because he cut that money,” he questioned.
In a communication issued on Thursday, Harrison Fieldsspokesman for the White House, defended Musk’s role in administration and seemed to launch an indirect to Gates.
“Elon Musk is a patriot who works to fulfill the mission of President Trump of Eliminate waste, fraud and abuse“, He stated in the statement.” Critics should celebrate the selfless efforts of the most innovative businessman in the United States, who is spending his time to support taxpayers and make Washington give accounts to the people of this great nation, “he said.
On the other hand, Gates He urged current millionaires to do more for philanthropyespecially given the growth of fortunes.
Despite the cuts to humanitarian aid under the Trump government, the founder of Microsoft He was optimistic: “I don’t think there will be an administration after another that cuts and cutting these things. If we project ourselves from here to 20 years, I think we will continue to reduce infant mortality.”
