Bill Gates, once the richest man in the world and the co-founder of Microsoft, has directed a sum of $50 million toward VP Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, The New York Times has reported. However, Gates, who has spent much of his time on the fence when it comes to politics, has yet to publicly endorse the same.
According to the report, his benefaction was made to Future Forward, a nonprofit organization inclined towards supporting the Democratic party. Given that it was meant to be under wraps, the billionaire refused to address the same head-on in a statement to the outlet. Instead, he asserted that he was fine with either party, but noted that "this election is different."
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Bill Gates refuses to comment on the donation, says this election bears an "unprecedented significance"
According to the outlet, the billionaire has been expressing concerns about the possibility of a second Trump presidency throughout the year. Furthermore, while the mogul has asserted that he would be fine with either candidate coming out on top, and regardless of his shallow connection with Harris, he has lauded the Biden-Harris administration for their climate change advocacy.
Moreover, two sources have told the outlet that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a philanthropic endeavor, has its apprehensions about the implications on family planning and global health programs, should Trump assume office once again.
The article has also dictated that Gates, 68, has been vocal about his support for Harris with those in his circle, including Mike Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City. Bloomberg, according to the Times, has also been the benefactor of a sizeable donation to the same group-- one he happens to deeply believe in.
In a statement to the outlet, Bill Gates, the sixth-richest man in the world according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, said,
"I support candidates who demonstrate a clear commitment to improving health care, reducing poverty and fighting climate change in the U.S. and around the world. I have a long history of working with leaders across the political spectrum, but this election is different, with unprecedented significance for Americans and the most vulnerable people around the world.”
Notably, any and all alms given are likely to have gone to the organization's nonprofit arm, Future Forward USA Action. Given that it stands as a 501(c)(4) “dark money” organization, by law, it is not mandated to disclose the names of any of its benefactors. This means that Bill Gates' name is unlikely to appear on any of the public filings.
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