Tech Billionaire’s Undisclosed Support Emerges as Presidential Race Intensifies
Microsoft founder Bill Gates has quietly channeled $50 million to Future Forward USA Action, a group supporting Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign, according to a New York Times investigation. The revelation comes as the presidential race enters a crucial phase, though Gates has notably refrained from making any public endorsements.
Gates’ stance on political support
When approached about the donation, Gates offered a carefully worded response: “I support candidates who demonstrate a clear commitment to improving health care, reducing poverty, and fighting climate change in the US and around the world.” He added, “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.”
Sources close to the situation reveal that Gates, 68, has privately expressed concerns about former President Donald Trump potentially defeating Harris in November. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, his nonprofit organization, reportedly harbors specific worries about potential cuts to family planning and global health programs under a second Trump administration.
Broader campaign finance landscape
The tech mogul’s substantial contribution places him among 81 billionaires supporting Harris’s White House bid, according to Forbes. By comparison, Trump’s campaign has secured backing from 50 billionaire donors. Another notable contribution came from former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, 82, who reportedly provided nearly $20 million to Future Forward earlier this year during President Biden’s campaign.
Strategic relationships
While Gates and Harris don’t share a particularly close relationship, sources note that the billionaire has commended the Harris-Biden administration’s climate change initiatives. The Times reports that Gates has openly discussed his donation with associates, including Bloomberg, though Future Forward USA Action maintains a policy of donor confidentiality.
With an estimated net worth of $162 billion, Gates’s contribution represents a significant financial boost to Harris’s campaign infrastructure, though it remains just a fraction of his vast wealth. The donation’s revelation offers a rare glimpse into the usually opaque world of political financing by America’s wealthiest individuals.