Microsoft founder Bill Gates told the co-hosts of The View on Tuesday that he was concerned about potential cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), warning that such reductions could lead to “literally millions of deaths.”
“Well, Elon, his private sector work, you know, has been very innovative, really fantastic. A lot of private sector people, when they get into government they don’t take the time necessarily to see what the good work is or why it’s structured the way it is, so I’m a little worried, particularly with this USAID stuff,” Gates said.
Gates responded to a question from co-host Sara Haines about Elon Musk’s role on the U.S. government.
“My foundation partners with USAID on nutrition and getting vaccines out and, you know, there’s incredible people. You know, they’re not actually worms that work there. So, you know, hopefully we’ll get some of that work back in shape. In fact, if we don’t, you know, you could have literally millions of deaths,” Gates added.
“So, with aid, people think, you know, wow, how much do we give to these countries, as you said, it’s less than a percent. People think it’s 5%, and it should be 2%, but it’s actually under 1%,” he added.
USAID staffers were informed via email that the agency’s Washington headquarters would be closed to personnel on Monday, two sources confirmed to Fox News Digital.
According to The Associated Press, some employees reported being locked out of USAID’s computer systems overnight. Those who maintained access received emails stating that, “at the direction of Agency leadership,” the headquarters would be closed on Monday, Feb. 3.
Elon Musk criticised USAID on his social media platform X, writing, “USAID is a criminal organisation. Time for it to die.”
