Elon Musk on Bill Gates
Elon Musk holds a highly negative and adversarial view of Bill Gates, which has escalated into a public feud involving personal attacks and mutual accusations concerning major global issues.
The primary tension stems from policy disagreements, notably Musk's actions as part of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Gates's subsequent criticism regarding cuts to foreign aid and the impact on children.
Musk has vocally attacked Gates, referencing his past association with Jeffrey Epstein and dismissing Gates's concerns about humanitarian aid cuts as being untruthful.
Context
The public animosity between Elon Musk and Bill Gates involves their respective roles in philanthropy, technology, and politics, framing them as rivals in the billionaire sphere.
Musk's role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the Trump administration placed him in direct conflict with established foreign aid policies championed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Timeline
- Bill Gates accused Elon Musk of “killing the world's poorest children” due to cuts in USAID implemented by Musk’s DOGE, with estimates suggesting hundreds of thousands of deaths.
- Elon Musk responded forcefully to Gates’s criticism, calling him a “huge liar” and bringing up Gates’s past meetings with Jeffrey Epstein while questioning his standing to comment on children's welfare.
- Musk issued a 'final warning' to Gates regarding a short position Gates allegedly held against Tesla stock, suggesting Gates should close it soon due to Tesla's rising value.
Key Quotes
Ya, he's a huge liar.
Who does Gates think he is to make comments about the welfare of children, given that he frequented Jeffrey Epstein… Wouldn't want that guy to babysit my kid.
If Gates hasn't fully closed out the crazy short position he has held against Tesla for ~8 years, he had better do soon.
Criticism
Accused Elon Musk of “killing the world's poorest children” due to the impact of DOGE-related cuts on U.S. foreign aid (USAID), stating that food and medicine are not reaching those in need.
Branded Musk's far-right politics as 'insane s***' after Musk expressed support for the German political party AfD.
Sources5
Elon Musk brings up Jeffrey Epstein while lashing out at Bill Gates over claims on DOGE aid cuts
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.