Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates has responded to Elon Musk’s aggressive efforts to reshape the federal government,
particularly Musk’s push to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and owner of X (formerly Twitter), recently referred to USAID as a “ball of worms” that should be “shut down,” a characterization that Gates strongly rejected.
Gates, who is currently on a media tour promoting his latest book, Source Code, has voiced concerns about Musk’s growing political influence.
In a recent interview with the Times of London, he criticized Musk’s endorsement of far-right politics, calling it “insane s***” and “populist stirring.”
However, despite their differences, Gates told The Independent that while Musk has been “mean” to him and his support for Donald Trump was “surprising,” he still considers Musk a “brilliant” entrepreneur and hopes to collaborate with him in the future.
During a guest appearance on The View, Gates elaborated on his stance regarding USAID, refuting Musk’s derogatory remarks about the agency and its employees. “My foundation partners with USAID on nutrition and getting vaccines out, and there are incredible people [there],” he said. “You know, they’re not actually worms that work there.”
Musk’s criticism of USAID stems from his belief that the agency is inefficient and potentially corrupt. He has labeled it a “criminal” organization and suggested it should be eliminated. His rhetoric aligns with his broader campaign to overhaul federal institutions, a campaign that has seen him take control of significant data and financial systems while forcing out numerous USAID officials and employees.
Gates, on the other hand, argued that USAID plays a critical role in global humanitarian efforts. He emphasized that many private sector leaders, including Musk, may not fully understand the necessity of such institutions when they first engage with government work. “A lot of private sector people, when they get into government, they don’t take the time necessarily to see what the good work is or why it’s structured the way it is,” he said. “So I’m a little worried, particularly with this USAID stuff.”
Gates has been a longtime advocate for global health initiatives, with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation working extensively on vaccine distribution and disease prevention in developing countries. He recently met with former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago to discuss continued funding for HIV and polio research. Gates described the three-hour discussion as “very good,” suggesting that he was hopeful about securing ongoing support for these vital programs.
When The View co-host Sara Haines questioned Gates about Musk’s political influence both abroad and within the United States, Gates expressed mixed feelings. While he praised Musk’s private-sector achievements, calling them “very innovative” and “fantastic,” he voiced concerns about Musk’s role in shaping government policies, particularly in areas like foreign aid and humanitarian assistance. Gates pointed out that USAID’s contributions to global health are indispensable, warning that efforts to dismantle it could have catastrophic consequences. “In fact, if we don’t [support USAID], you could have literally millions of deaths,” he cautioned.
One of Gates’ key arguments in favor of USAID is the relatively small portion of the U.S. budget allocated to foreign aid. “People think, ‘Wow, how much do we give these countries?’ As you said, it’s less than a percent [of spending]. People think it’s five percent and it should be two percent. But it’s actually under one percent.”
Despite his strong stance against Musk’s anti-government rhetoric, Gates has remained pragmatic about working with the billionaire. He even expressed cautious optimism about the potential confirmation of vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services under Trump, hoping that reason and scientific consensus would prevail.
Ultimately, Gates’ response highlights a broader debate about the role of private-sector leaders in government and the potential risks of dismantling established institutions that provide essential services. While Musk’s vision for governmental reform may appeal to some as a challenge to bureaucracy, Gates insists that institutions like USAID are critical for global stability and humanitarian aid.
As tensions between these two tech titans continue to unfold, the future of USAID—and the broader role of government in humanitarian efforts—remains a key issue in both political and philanthropic circles. Whether Musk’s efforts to dismantle the agency will gain traction or Gates’ advocacy will help preserve its work remains to be seen.
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