Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates secretly donated $50 million to a group supporting Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign, according to the New York Times.
Though Gates hasn’t publicly endorsed Harris, his donation to Future Forward USA Action signals his private support for her run.
The New York Times reports that Gates intended for the donation to remain private. When asked about it, Gates chose not to comment directly but expressed his support for candidates committed to improving healthcare, reducing poverty, and addressing climate change.
“This election is different, with unprecedented significance for Americans and the most vulnerable people around the world,” Gates said.
At the age of 68, Gates is reportedly concerned about the prospect of former President Donald Trump defeating Harris in the upcoming election.
His nonprofit organization, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has expressed particular worry about potential cuts to family planning and global health programs if Trump, 78, were to win a second term in office.
While Gates is not known to have a close personal relationship with Harris, he has publicly praised the Biden-Harris administration’s work on climate change.
Future Forward USA Action, the group that received his donation, does not disclose its donors, meaning Gates’ contribution would likely have remained under wraps if not for the Times’ report.
Gates is among a group of 81 billionaires backing Harris, according to Forbes.
This places him alongside notable figures like former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who also contributed $20 million to Future Forward earlier this year when President Biden was still in the race.
In contrast, former President Trump has garnered support from 50 billionaires.
This revelation of Gates’ behind-the-scenes support for Harris comes at a time when many conservatives are growing increasingly concerned about the influence of billionaires on American politics.
Gates’ fortune, estimated at $162 billion, gives him significant sway in the political arena. For many Trump supporters, this news fuels ongoing suspicions about the role of tech elites in shaping national policy, particularly on issues like climate change and healthcare.
As the 2024 election draws nearer, Gates’ donation underscores the high stakes of this race, both for the candidates and for those with immense wealth seeking to influence its outcome.