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.
President Trump called on countries to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Starmer said the UK is working with allies to restore naviga...
Senior officials from the United States and China met in Paris this week for a new round of trade talks, as the world’s two largest economies...
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President Trump called on countries to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Starmer said the UK is working with allies to restore navigation and stabilise oil markets. It comes as a strike near Iraq’s western border killed several Hashed al-Shaabi fighters, raising regional tensions.
Senior officials from the United States and China met in Paris this week for a new round of trade talks, as the world’s two largest economies attempt to manage their economic rivalry and avoid further tensions.
Court documents released on Monday (16 March) revealed that the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has asked a U.S. judge to dismiss President Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation suit over a 2024 documentary, arguing his re-election proves the edited 2021 speech did not harm his reputation.
Governments around the world are responding cautiously to U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for countries to send naval ships to the Strait of Hormuz to protect commercial shipping and help restore the flow of global oil supplies.
Iran says it is open to talks with countries seeking safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz - disrupted by recent attacks - as Israel continues to launch wide‑scale strikes on Iranian infrastructure in the west. This live report tracks the latest developments.
President Trump called on countries to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Starmer said the UK is working with allies to restore navigation and stabilise oil markets. It comes as a strike near Iraq’s western border killed several Hashed al-Shaabi fighters, raising regional tensions.
The other evening, I was fuelling my car at a petrol station in Kenya’s capital. It was one of those small moments most motorists barely notice. The attendant filled the tank, I glanced at the pump price, paid, and drove off.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 15 March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Top U.S. and Chinese economic officials launched a new round of talks in Paris on Sunday (15 March) to resolve issues in their trade truce. The discussions aim to smooth the way for U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of March.
Senior officials from the United States and China met in Paris this week for a new round of trade talks, as the world’s two largest economies attempt to manage their economic rivalry and avoid further tensions.
Court documents released on Monday (16 March) revealed that the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has asked a U.S. judge to dismiss President Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation suit over a 2024 documentary, arguing his re-election proves the edited 2021 speech did not harm his reputation.
Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea on Friday (13 March), according to Poland’s Operational Command.
Russia has imposed a fine of 35 million roubles (around $432,366) on the messaging platform Telegram for failing to remove content deemed illegal by the authorities, according to the Interfax news agency.
Madagascar's president, Michael Randrianirina announced the appointment of anti-corruption chief Mamitiana Rajaonarison as prime minister, six days after dismissing the previous premier along with the entire cabinet.
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