The bitter public feud between tech giants Elon Musk and Bill Gates has escalated, as Gates blames Musk for cutting off aid to vulnerable populations—while Musk counters by questioning Gates’ moral authority over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Gates recently accused Musk of contributing to “millions of potential deaths” by slashing the budget of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Speaking to The New York Times Magazine and Financial Times, the Microsoft co-founder said the cuts—carried out under the Trump-backed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where Musk holds influence—have gutted key global health initiatives.
“These programs were preventing HIV, polio, measles—saving lives,” Gates said. He cited one case in Gaza Province, Mozambique, where funding reportedly ended for a hospital that had been helping stop mother-to-child HIV transmission.
But Musk didn’t hold back in his response. Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO dismissed Gates' claims as “completely false” and called him a “huge liar.”
More pointedly, Musk brought up Gates’ relationship with Epstein. “Who does Bill Gates think he is to lecture anyone about the welfare of children, given that he was very close with Jeffrey Epstein?” Musk said. “I wouldn't want that guy to babysit my kid.”
Musk has repeatedly demanded that Gates provide hard evidence that DOGE’s cuts are killing children. “Show us any evidence whatsoever. It’s false,” he stated.
Gates’ connection to Epstein has been the subject of public scrutiny for years. According to The New York Times, the two met multiple times in 2011—well after Epstein had served jail time and registered as a sex offender. In one leaked email following a visit to Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse, Gates wrote: “A very attractive Swedish woman and her daughter dropped by and I ended up staying there quite late.”
Gates has since acknowledged the meetings were a mistake and denied any deeper relationship with Epstein. He has repeatedly said he hoped Epstein could help raise philanthropic funds, but those efforts never materialized.
The current clash spotlights the stark contrast between two billionaires with global influence: Gates argues for sustained U.S. foreign aid to combat disease and poverty, while Musk, now operating within the Trump administration, is pushing for government efficiency and massive spending cuts.
At its core, the fight isn’t just about aid budgets—it’s about legacy, moral credibility, and the power these men wield in shaping the lives of people far beyond Silicon Valley.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday (11 February) that his government will only hold national elections once a ceasefire with Ru...
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has firmly ruled out any discussion of the country’s ballistic missile capabilities in the newly resumed, O...
Stalled U.S.–Iran talks and mounting regional tensions are exposing a growing strategic rift between Washington and Tel Aviv over how to confront Te...
Türkiye and Greece signalled renewed political will to ease long-standing tensions during high-level talks in Ankara on Wednesday (11 February). Mari...
Tropical Cyclone Gezani has killed at least 31 people and left four others missing after tearing through eastern Madagascar, the government said on We...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday (11 February) that his government will only hold national elections once a ceasefire with Russia is in place and security guarantees are secured, pushing back at suggestions of fresh ballots under pressure from international partners.
Stalled U.S.–Iran talks and mounting regional tensions are exposing a growing strategic rift between Washington and Tel Aviv over how to confront Tehran, political analyst James M. Dorsey says, exposing stark differences in approach at a critical moment.
Türkiye and Greece signalled renewed political will to ease long-standing tensions during high-level talks in Ankara on Wednesday (11 February). Maritime borders, migration and trade topped the agenda as both leaders struck a cautiously optimistic tone.
A Republican lawmaker accused on Wednesday (11 February) Attorney General Pam Bondi of concealing the names of Jeffrey Epstein’s powerful associates. The claim was made during a heated House hearing on the Justice Department’s handling of the files.
The United States and Azerbaijan signed a strategic partnership in Baku on Tuesday (10 February) encompassing economic and security cooperation as Washington seeks to expand its influence in a region where Russia was once the main power broker.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived in Ankara on Wednesday, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held an official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace, marking the start of high-level talks between the two NATO allies.
Europe heads into the Munich Security Conference, 13 February, amid deepening unease over U.S. policy, as President Donald Trump’s hard-line stance on defence, trade and territory fuels doubts about Washington’s long-term commitment to transatlantic security.
The European Union is preparing a further expansion of its sanctions against Russia, with Central Asia emerging for the first time as a distinct point of focus.
A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader said on Tuesday that negotiations with the United States must remain focused on the nuclear issue and be grounded in realism, as Washington and Tehran prepare to resume talks mediated by Oman.
Stalled U.S.–Iran talks and mounting regional tensions are exposing a growing strategic rift between Washington and Tel Aviv over how to confront Tehran, political analyst James M. Dorsey says, exposing stark differences in approach at a critical moment.
A Republican lawmaker accused on Wednesday (11 February) Attorney General Pam Bondi of concealing the names of Jeffrey Epstein’s powerful associates. The claim was made during a heated House hearing on the Justice Department’s handling of the files.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 12th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The Ukrainian capital came under a “massive” Russian missile attack early Thursday (12 February), with explosions heard across the capital according to authorities. The assault unfolded as uncertainty lingers over upcoming U.S.-brokered peace talks.
The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly backed a measure on Wednesday (11 February) disapproving President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada, a rare rebuke of the president and leaders of his party in the Republican-majority House.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment