Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and philanthropist, has personally lobbied Trump administration officials to ensure the continuation of US global health funding, warning that his foundation cannot replace the crucial financial gaps. Gates has expressed concerns over potential cuts to vital health programs, such as childhood vaccination initiatives and HIV treatment.
Sources familiar with the matter confirmed that Gates met with key figures at the National Security Council, along with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, in recent weeks to emphasize the importance of these programs. The meetings focused on ensuring the continued support of initiatives that impact global health.
Following his inauguration on January 20, President Donald Trump has pursued significant cuts to the US Agency for International Development (USAID), slashing over 80 percent of contracts and freezing billions of dollars allocated for critical programs, including emergency food assistance and malaria prevention.
The Trump administration, under the direction of the State Department, is currently reviewing which foreign aid initiatives will remain under its “America First” policy. Approximately 30 global health projects are under consideration for funding cuts, according to one source.
A spokesperson for the Gates Foundation confirmed that Gates has been actively engaging with US policymakers to discuss the impact of these funding decisions. “Bill was recently in Washington DC meeting with decision-makers to discuss the life-saving impact of US international assistance and the need for a strategic plan to protect the world’s most vulnerable while safeguarding America’s health and security,” the spokesperson said.
Despite his lobbying efforts, Gates has made it clear that the Gates Foundation cannot step in to replace the US government’s role in funding these programs. Foundation leaders have reiterated that no private organization, including theirs, has the capacity to fully take on such a responsibility.
One area of concern is the impact that funding reductions will have on the Gates Foundation’s key priorities, such as the fight against polio and malaria eradication. The Foundation is now evaluating how it might continue these efforts in the face of US funding cuts, with some projects potentially being affected by the withdrawal of financial support.
Gates has advocated for continued support of organizations like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which are also under review for US funding. The US contributes approximately $300 million annually to Gavi and more than $1 billion to the Global Fund.
While Gavi confirmed that it has not yet received any notice of funding termination, the Global Fund declined to comment on the matter. Both the White House and State Department have not provided immediate responses to requests for comment.
In addition to these organizations, several projects under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) are also under scrutiny.
Gates has also pushed for the US to maintain its support for the World Health Organization (WHO), despite President Trump’s decision to withdraw the country from the WHO in the early days of his administration. Gates has long advocated for global health efforts, particularly in areas such as polio eradication, which remains a priority for his foundation.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, established in 2000, operates with an annual budget exceeding $8 billion. Gates has met regularly with US security officials in previous administrations to discuss global health priorities, including malaria and COVID-19. Gates also met with President Trump at a dinner in December and again at the White House in early February, following the announcement of USAID budget cuts.
Related topics
