Bill Gates has sharply criticized Elon Musk over drastic U.S. government spending cuts that Gates says will have devastating global consequences. In an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria airing Sunday, the Microsoft cofounder warned that slashing the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) budget under Musk’s direction will lead to “millions of deaths” in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.
The criticism comes after Musk, appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) by President Donald Trump, took credit for dismantling much of USAID, bragging that he had fed it to the “woodchipper.” The move has sent shockwaves through the humanitarian sector, with many non-profits reporting canceled contracts and suspended aid programs. Though some funds have since been partially restored, aid groups say the damage is already being felt.
Gates, speaking Friday, said that if Musk’s involvement in government had focused on improving systems or using AI to boost efficiency, it would have been commendable. “But the fact that it turned into slashing these people — I didn’t expect that,” Gates said. “And some of that should be put back in place.”
Gates said global health progress is in reverse, calling the situation a “global health emergency” triggered by budget cuts from both the U.S. and European governments. His remarks come just a day after he pledged to give away nearly all of his personal wealth — about $200 billion — through the Gates Foundation by 2045, speeding up his philanthropic efforts in response to what he sees as backsliding in global health.
He didn’t mince words about Musk’s impact on international development, accusing him of mischaracterizing aid efforts and cutting support where it hurts most. “If you show up and say, in two months, you can cut $2 trillion out of a $7 trillion budget, you’re not going to succeed. So you go for the softest things, and things overseas that you can mischaracterize… people that he hasn’t spent any time with,” Gates said.
Gates specifically called out a false claim Musk made in February, alleging that the U.S. had spent $50 billion on condoms for Gaza — a statement Musk later admitted was untrue. He also rebuked Musk for branding USAID workers as “radical lunatics” and “anti-American,” calling them instead “heroes” who represent the best of American values.
“Other than the military, these are about as honorable as it gets,” Gates said. “They’re the face of America to people who we want to be alive with us.”
While Gates acknowledged Musk’s brilliance in technology and engineering, he said global health has never been a focus for the Tesla and SpaceX CEO. “If it was a modest cut and a challenge to be more efficient, I’m fine with that,” Gates said. “But 80 percent? That’s going to be millions of deaths, and it’s a mistake.”
The Gates Foundation has already spent more than $100 billion tackling major health challenges around the world since its founding in 2000. Gates emphasized that governments, not private philanthropies, are essential to maintaining global progress.
Gates also raised broader concerns about U.S. economic policy under Trump, particularly his erratic tariff strategy. “The big concern I have is we’ve created a lot of uncertainty,” he said. “If you’re going to build a new factory, you need to understand the policies for the next 20 years, not just the next two days or even four years.”
A spokesperson for Musk did not respond to a request for comment.