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babylonsister

(172,033 posts)
Thu May 8, 2025, 09:22 AM Yesterday

Bill Gates Accuses Elon Musk of 'Killing' Children

https://politicalwire.com/2025/05/08/bill-gates-accuses-elon-musk-of-killing-children/

Bill Gates Accuses Elon Musk of ‘Killing’ Children
May 8, 2025 at 8:29 am EDT By Taegan Goddard


Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates ratcheted up his feud with Elon Musk, accusing the world’s richest man of “killing the world’s poorest children” through what he said were misguided cuts to U.S. development assistance, the Financial Times reports.

Said Gates: “The picture of the world’s richest man killing the world’s poorest children is not a pretty one.”
61 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Bill Gates Accuses Elon Musk of 'Killing' Children (Original Post) babylonsister Yesterday OP
Speaking truth to money. milestogo Yesterday #1
Good for Bill Gates. yardwork Yesterday #2
Truth Johonny Yesterday #3
Kick SheltieLover Yesterday #4
This will leave a mark newdeal2 Yesterday #5
K&R spanone Yesterday #6
This is the truth. Swede Yesterday #7
Kudos to Bill Gates for speaking up, and stepping up jmbar2 Yesterday #8
How long before Elon trots out some johnnyfins Yesterday #9
They haven't finished the microchip vaccination conspiracy yet have they? mdbl 18 hrs ago #54
Who cares? MorbidButterflyTat 17 hrs ago #57
But, Musk is proud of having no empathy -- says it's destroying civilization William Seger Yesterday #10
Musk wants everybody to be as cold as he is Attilatheblond Yesterday #34
Bill, you are just letting them die, yourself. You plan to give away your $200B by 2045 but your ex Wonder Why Yesterday #11
Where do you think his ex got her money? milestogo Yesterday #13
And, if they hadn't divorced, all that money she gave away, he'd still have control of so he'd been Wonder Why Yesterday #19
Absolutely wrong--quite possibly libelously so. hlthe2b Yesterday #20
Libelous? Gimme a break. Let's just agree to disagree. Wonder Why 22 hrs ago #45
False accusations in print are just that. hlthe2b 22 hrs ago #46
LOL DENVERPOPS 17 hrs ago #55
DENVERPOPS.. we owe it to EarlG not to put DU in the crosshairs as has happened in the past... hlthe2b 17 hrs ago #56
The "turn of the 19th to 20th Century" baron was born in 1955 milestogo Yesterday #32
I didn't say he was born at the turn of the century. I was saying that, like them, he waited to give Wonder Why 22 hrs ago #47
Gates has done so much for the poorest people pinkstarburst Yesterday #43
No kidding MorbidButterflyTat 17 hrs ago #58
OMG.. How wrong YOU are. His Gates Foundation has been instrumental in making strides throughout hlthe2b Yesterday #18
Are you thinking of Bezos ex wife ? Because Gates is more recently divorced JI7 Yesterday #21
Or, that money can more than double multigraincracker Yesterday #42
Based on that argument, he can have his foundation hold on to it for 100 years before Wonder Why 22 hrs ago #48
I'm retired and drawing down my savings. multigraincracker 20 hrs ago #49
That's two of us that don't have $200B. Wonder Why 15 hrs ago #59
If Bill Gates had wanted to he could very well be richer than Musk but instead has worked to give .. Botany Yesterday #12
Good for Gates. Whatever harm Gates may have done in his lifetime, he has tried t9o redeem himself by spending Martin68 Yesterday #14
I hadn't read your post when I made my own. We are of one mind on this.. hlthe2b Yesterday #16
Bill Gates has been systematically making up for any wrongs he committed and I'm pleased to say... hlthe2b Yesterday #15
Agree, but I think he's more attacking symptoms than the disease. usonian Yesterday #31
He's right. Musk is killing children - adults too. Solly Mack Yesterday #17
It's not just trump and musk; it is ALL republicans who have voted with them, or FOR them. It's republicans. BComplex Yesterday #30
Yes, true. All of them. Solly Mack 19 hrs ago #52
And impoverished, hungry kids Musk doesn't kill, will grow to hate the US, Attilatheblond Yesterday #39
That does happen. Solly Mack 19 hrs ago #51
The accusation is just. However, I wish the would not frame it is a "feud." CBHagman Yesterday #22
Sounds like a new "clash of the titans". calimary Yesterday #23
Good for you, Bill Lulu KC Yesterday #24
Maybe Elon can stop picking on ex-wives of other billionaires, man up, deal with his well heeled male peers instead Attilatheblond Yesterday #25
They need Linda ladeewolf Yesterday #26
It's not clear where, who you're referring to here... littlemissmartypants Yesterday #29
Sorry, I was just reading this morning Linda ladeewolf Yesterday #36
If only Bill Gates had gone into politics! Doodley Yesterday #27
Bill Gates is intelligent and he talks to intelligent people. milestogo Yesterday #37
I'm not a fan of Bill Gates, but he is absolutely correct here. patphil Yesterday #28
babylonsister........... Upthevibe Yesterday #33
Trump and his MAGA cult are defined by their cruelty and bigotry. Beacool Yesterday #35
The enemy of my enemy is not suddenly a saint but I would keep Gates over the Rat any day. Dave Bowman Yesterday #38
It's about time a well known billionaire is pointing out the obvious... Fil1957 Yesterday #40
LONG overdue, Bill! BlueMTexpat Yesterday #41
He promoted RFK Jr who spouts dangerous conspiracy theories about vaccines. Initech Yesterday #44
TY Kick fo Bill Gats Speaking out Against Cha 19 hrs ago #50
What is the actual musk death count? Do we have any idea who has actually died as a direct result of the cuts? Blues Heron 19 hrs ago #53
He's right Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin 14 hrs ago #60
He isn't wrong Roxi 4 hrs ago #61

newdeal2

(2,464 posts)
5. This will leave a mark
Thu May 8, 2025, 09:29 AM
Yesterday

If he were a mature adult, he would actually consider what Gates is saying and course correct. Instead, he will Tweet some insults and look for revenge.

johnnyfins

(2,036 posts)
9. How long before Elon trots out some
Thu May 8, 2025, 09:40 AM
Yesterday

Rightwing conspiracy theory about Bill Gates. Maybe he is combing through old Alex Jones shows...

mdbl

(6,408 posts)
54. They haven't finished the microchip vaccination conspiracy yet have they?
Thu May 8, 2025, 06:30 PM
18 hrs ago

That was blaming Gates lol

Attilatheblond

(5,821 posts)
34. Musk wants everybody to be as cold as he is
Thu May 8, 2025, 11:26 AM
Yesterday

Which makes me wonder if, deep down, he knows there is something wrong with him. But he's not man enough, not human enough, to face his deficits and work on them. He can't evolve, so he wants everyone else to be like him, or die.

Wonder Why

(5,666 posts)
11. Bill, you are just letting them die, yourself. You plan to give away your $200B by 2045 but your ex
Thu May 8, 2025, 09:46 AM
Yesterday

has been doing it for years. Can't you live on just a measly $1B and give it away now instead of dolling it out over time?

In 10 years, those kids will no longer be kids, already beyond hope; in 20 will be grown up and too poor to help their own kids.

Wonder Why

(5,666 posts)
19. And, if they hadn't divorced, all that money she gave away, he'd still have control of so he'd been
Thu May 8, 2025, 10:18 AM
Yesterday

able to give even more away by 2045. Is that what you're saying?

Sorry, but I maintain Gates has done too little with all he has. No, he is not a Muskrat by any stretch of the imagination but he's no nice guy IMHO. Another "turn of the 19th to 20th Century" baron who gives away his vast fortune far later than he should have.

hlthe2b

(109,530 posts)
20. Absolutely wrong--quite possibly libelously so.
Thu May 8, 2025, 10:22 AM
Yesterday

I dont' defend Bill Gate's personal life, but I won't be silent about his global health initiatives--one which I personally have worked on.

Wonder Why, you are WRONG.

DENVERPOPS

(12,059 posts)
55. LOL
Thu May 8, 2025, 07:18 PM
17 hrs ago

If that were true, Trump, for example, would have spent the past two decades in prison.......along with everyone on Fox New's website.

hlthe2b

(109,530 posts)
56. DENVERPOPS.. we owe it to EarlG not to put DU in the crosshairs as has happened in the past...
Thu May 8, 2025, 07:21 PM
17 hrs ago

Perhaps before your time.

If you have no lawyers in your life, maybe you don't take it seriously, but while you can say "you think... " about just about anything and anyone, making false claims, assertions, accusations, can and DOES get you litigation. But, to point to TSF and the RW doing that and not worrying about it, really? Anyone they don't like will be smeared with blatant lies and accusations in a never-ending tirade. Is that what we do? Really? And about Bill Gates' philanthropy? Damn... As I said, he's got some personal issues that are deserving of a call-out, but I'm not about to defend someone misrepresenting (intentionally, apparently-- despite multiple corrections) his support of global health and climate change initiatives dating decades--when few else were.

So, let's be respectful of the owners and not justify our fellow DUers doing so--especially when it is so damned provably WRONG, okay?

milestogo

(20,473 posts)
32. The "turn of the 19th to 20th Century" baron was born in 1955
Thu May 8, 2025, 11:24 AM
Yesterday

and made his fortune in the latter half of the twentieth century.
His credentials as a philanthropist, especially for climate change and health in third world countries, are exceptional.

Wonder Why

(5,666 posts)
47. I didn't say he was born at the turn of the century. I was saying that, like them, he waited to give
Thu May 8, 2025, 02:44 PM
22 hrs ago

away his big fortune far too late in life. My opinion. And you disagree. That's nice. Shows we can still differ in opinion and not fight over it.

pinkstarburst

(1,691 posts)
43. Gates has done so much for the poorest people
Thu May 8, 2025, 12:01 PM
Yesterday

of the world, and has been for years. Geez, the dude has been giving away his fortune for years, has just pledged to give away ALL his fortune, and this still isn't enough for you?

hlthe2b

(109,530 posts)
18. OMG.. How wrong YOU are. His Gates Foundation has been instrumental in making strides throughout
Thu May 8, 2025, 10:05 AM
Yesterday

the world for decades--before they were ever divorced. You need to research the work being done--including funding clinical trials on the (mosquito-borne) dengue vaccine (the four serotypes which can cause a fatal hemorrhagic syndrome especially in children) and that is but one example.

How wrong you are. I do love Melinda and she deserves lauding, but, damn...

JI7

(91,841 posts)
21. Are you thinking of Bezos ex wife ? Because Gates is more recently divorced
Thu May 8, 2025, 10:28 AM
Yesterday

and he has been giving for years along with his now ex wife.

Wonder Why

(5,666 posts)
48. Based on that argument, he can have his foundation hold on to it for 100 years before
Thu May 8, 2025, 02:47 PM
22 hrs ago

passing out the money and think how many more they can save!

The poor and downtrodden need money now. If some can be helped enough NOW, their kids will not be the ones who need saving in 20 years.

We disagree and I'm fine with that. Have a nice day.

multigraincracker

(35,590 posts)
49. I'm retired and drawing down my savings.
Thu May 8, 2025, 04:17 PM
20 hrs ago

Taking out 15% a year. Figure I have 8 to 10 years left to live.

Wonder Why

(5,666 posts)
59. That's two of us that don't have $200B.
Thu May 8, 2025, 09:19 PM
15 hrs ago

But I have to think of my wife, too. I tried to ignore her but even after 53 years, she has a hell of a wallop!

Botany

(74,068 posts)
12. If Bill Gates had wanted to he could very well be richer than Musk but instead has worked to give ..
Thu May 8, 2025, 09:49 AM
Yesterday

…. away his money and future income on helping people.

Musk’s killing of USAID is in a large part because it helps black people in Africa and he grew up
in apartheid S. Africa and sees them as the enemy.

Martin68

(25,703 posts)
14. Good for Gates. Whatever harm Gates may have done in his lifetime, he has tried t9o redeem himself by spending
Thu May 8, 2025, 09:56 AM
Yesterday

billions on worthwhile charitable projects. Not the fake charities that Trump and his ilk set up for slush fund money.,

hlthe2b

(109,530 posts)
15. Bill Gates has been systematically making up for any wrongs he committed and I'm pleased to say...
Thu May 8, 2025, 10:01 AM
Yesterday

he seems to be succeeding mightily (obviously he won't think I am the one to judge that, but still... )

I am really glad to see him call out Musk. In Gate's accusation, he is absolutely right.

usonian

(17,482 posts)
31. Agree, but I think he's more attacking symptoms than the disease.
Thu May 8, 2025, 11:24 AM
Yesterday

The disease is the insane concentration of wealth he participated in so viciously, and the heartless greed of the oligarchs.

Better late than never? Musk bought himself a presidency.

Gates didn't counter. Imagine if he "fixed" those voting machines instead of Elon.



He has the platform.

Windows boot message: "We have detected a MAGA hat and are issuing a HCF (1) instruction to the CPU."

(1) Halt and Catch Fire

But it's good to see oligarchs fighting each other rather than the rest of us.

mixed feelings here

Solly Mack

(94,931 posts)
17. He's right. Musk is killing children - adults too.
Thu May 8, 2025, 10:03 AM
Yesterday

He's doing it with Trump's blessing. Let's not let Trump off the hook.

BComplex

(9,405 posts)
30. It's not just trump and musk; it is ALL republicans who have voted with them, or FOR them. It's republicans.
Thu May 8, 2025, 11:20 AM
Yesterday

They are cold, uncaring, greedy sonsofrepublicanbitches.

Attilatheblond

(5,821 posts)
39. And impoverished, hungry kids Musk doesn't kill, will grow to hate the US,
Thu May 8, 2025, 11:30 AM
Yesterday

The survivors of the extreme poverty will be a pool of people who produce a few terrorists, and the wealthy nations will have it coming.

CBHagman

(17,257 posts)
22. The accusation is just. However, I wish the would not frame it is a "feud."
Thu May 8, 2025, 10:40 AM
Yesterday

Bill Gates says what many of us say: Elon Musk, who gloated about feeding USAID into the wood chipper (his phrasing, not mine), is gleefully causing deaths of many of the world's most vulnerable people, including children.

Elon Musk also owes much of his wealth to the taxpayers! And he then bought access to power, which he is now using to harm millions or perhaps billions of people.

Lulu KC

(8,067 posts)
24. Good for you, Bill
Thu May 8, 2025, 11:08 AM
Yesterday

Uganda, 1m people not receiving food aid because of us. Just from today's headlines. Every day a new headline of death and destruction. Makes me want to go soak my head.

Attilatheblond

(5,821 posts)
25. Maybe Elon can stop picking on ex-wives of other billionaires, man up, deal with his well heeled male peers instead
Thu May 8, 2025, 11:13 AM
Yesterday

One can hardly wait for round Two.

Linda ladeewolf

(877 posts)
26. They need
Thu May 8, 2025, 11:14 AM
Yesterday

To bring up the air pollution around his AI data center. For over a year now the turbines have been spewing out toxic emissions. Naturally there is an older black neighborhood about 2 miles from it. They always locate these things away from white neighborhoods. The people can hardly breathe. The story is on BBC.

Linda ladeewolf

(877 posts)
36. Sorry, I was just reading this morning
Thu May 8, 2025, 11:28 AM
Yesterday

About the Xai center in Memphis. They’ve got huge turbines running day and night that have no emission regulation on them spewing out NOx by the ton. It is only three miles or less from an older black neighborhood. The residents there are suffering from the toxic affects.
I thought it was the bbc but it’s here.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/apr/24/elon-musk-xai-memphis

milestogo

(20,473 posts)
37. Bill Gates is intelligent and he talks to intelligent people.
Thu May 8, 2025, 11:29 AM
Yesterday

The thing we've lost with Trump is that he's so arrogant he surrounds himself with incompetent sycophants.

I could accept having a billionaire president if they were humble enough and smart enough to surround themselves with competent people.

patphil

(7,775 posts)
28. I'm not a fan of Bill Gates, but he is absolutely correct here.
Thu May 8, 2025, 11:17 AM
Yesterday

What Trump and Musk have done is mass murder, plain and simple.
They have use their combination of position and wealth to cause immense pain, suffering and death to those people who relied on USAID to survive.
If they succeed in destroying Medicaid, Social Security, and the VA, there will be another round of mass murder here in the United States.

Beacool

(30,379 posts)
35. Trump and his MAGA cult are defined by their cruelty and bigotry.
Thu May 8, 2025, 11:26 AM
Yesterday

It's an evil regime, lacking in what made America truly great, our basic decency and compassion. MAGA is based on resentments, and prejudice. They're the racist, misogynist, homophobic, and xenophobic segment of society. Trump is just a symptom, he became their leader because he legitimized their rage and frustrations. They are the same type of people who in 1930s Germany agreed with the extermination of the Jews. The same types who cheered when gladiators and Christians died in the Roman arenas. In every era there have been people like the MAGA folks.


Dave Bowman

(5,102 posts)
38. The enemy of my enemy is not suddenly a saint but I would keep Gates over the Rat any day.
Thu May 8, 2025, 11:29 AM
Yesterday

He's a nut job and a damn fascist.

Initech

(104,709 posts)
44. He promoted RFK Jr who spouts dangerous conspiracy theories about vaccines.
Thu May 8, 2025, 12:07 PM
Yesterday

And now they look like they're going to nominate a "wellness influencer" to be surgeon general.

Blues Heron

(6,894 posts)
53. What is the actual musk death count? Do we have any idea who has actually died as a direct result of the cuts?
Thu May 8, 2025, 05:48 PM
19 hrs ago

Roxi

(2,183 posts)
61. He isn't wrong
Fri May 9, 2025, 08:37 AM
4 hrs ago

Bill Gates isn’t perfect, but he will leave a legacy that shows more compassion than anything Elon has ever touched.

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