Bill Gates says Trump's cuts to USAID are devastating: 'It’s not too late to reverse them'

Philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has emphasized the urgency of reinstating international aid funding recently cut by former President Donald Trump. In a post on social media, Gates asserted that the severe impacts of these funding reductions are not irreversible, stating, "The devastating effects of these cuts are entirely preventable—and it's not too late to reverse them." Gates referenced a concerning account shared by Sam Stein, managing editor at The Bulwark, which highlighted the plight of an unnamed aid worker in Africa. The worker revealed that shipments of essential HIV medication for children had been delayed for months, with current supplies set to expire imminently. Furthermore, there are alarming shortages of oxygen tubes for newborns and medications for sexually transmitted diseases. Last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that future assistance would be "targeted and time-limited," following the absorption of USAID into the State Department. The Department is currently reassessing funding for the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), according to a spokesperson's comments reported by NPR in June. Gates’ statements follow his previous warnings about the life-threatening repercussions of the aid cutbacks. During a visit to Ethiopia in June, he criticized the abrupt nature of these cuts, which he believes have resulted in significant disruptions in clinical trials and left critical medicines stuck in warehouses. He has labeled these decisions a profound mistake. Through the Gates Foundation, which has invested billions in global health and development initiatives, Gates has maintained a long-standing partnership with USAID, providing thousands of grants over the years. The Foundation had previously announced plans for Gates to donate nearly all his wealth within the next two decades, citing reports of governments worldwide slashing tens of billions in aid. In addition to reducing commitments to PEPFAR and USAID, the Trump administration has indicated a withdrawal of support for the vaccine alliance Gavi, which was co-founded by Gates in 1999. Gates has also been politically active, contributing $50 million to Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris's campaign last fall. Despite this, reports suggest that Rubio has refused to meet with Gates since taking office, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding U.S. foreign aid policy.