In a recent exchange of words, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has taken a swipe at Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates over his past association with the notorious child sex offender and trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein.
This comes in the wake of Gates' criticism of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where he claimed that the proposed government reductions could lead to "millions of deaths," a statement that elicited a sharp retort from Musk.
According to One America News, Gates further argued that DOGE's proposed cuts to USAID, the United States' foreign aid apparatus, could potentially endanger children worldwide. However, Gates conveniently sidestepped the issue of the American public's growing discontent over having to "pick up the check" for other nations' problems. "The picture of the worlds richest man killing the worlds poorest children is not a pretty one," Gates dramatically stated earlier this month.
Gates also accused Musk of terminating grants to a Gaza hospital, which had previously come under scrutiny due to allegations of funds being diverted to supply condoms to Hamas. USAID has traditionally provided contraceptives, including condoms, to various countries as part of its "family planning and public health" initiatives. "Id love for him to go in and meet the children that have now been infected with HIV because he cut that money," Gates added.
In response, Musk questioned Gates' moral authority, given his past association with Epstein and other controversial statements. "Who does Bill Gates think he is to make comments about the welfare of children, given that he was close friends with Jeffrey Epstein?"
Musk retorted. "I wouldnt want that guy to babysit my kid, I can tell you that," he added, challenging Gates to provide evidence that his proposed government cuts have indeed harmed children in impoverished nations. "Show us any evidence whatsoever that that is true. Its false," Musk asserted.
Gates' association with Epstein dates back to 2011, when he reportedly met with Epstein multiple times, even staying "late into the night" on one occasion, as reported by the New York Times. Gates' email to his colleagues following his first visit to Epstein's Manhattan townhouse read, "His lifestyle is very different and kind of intriguing although it would not work for me."
It's worth noting that Gates' relationship with Epstein began after the latter had already served jail time for soliciting prostitution from minors and was registered as a sex offender. On January 31, 2011, Gates visited Epstein's townhouse, accompanied by a former Miss Sweden and her 15-year-old daughter. Following the encounter, Gates wrote in an email, "A very attractive Swedish woman and her daughter dropped by and I ended up staying there quite late."
This recent exchange between two of the world's richest men underscores the ongoing debate over the role of government in foreign aid and the responsibility of the wealthy in addressing global issues. As the discourse continues, it remains to be seen how these proposed cuts will impact the world's most vulnerable populations and whether the concerns raised by Gates hold any merit.
Login