Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has contributed $50 million to Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign, marking a notable shift from his historically low profile in political donations.
This funding, intended for Future Forward, a non-profit organization supporting Harris’s run, was initially meant to remain confidential, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Although Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, has not formally endorsed Harris, his donation signals a departure from his previous reluctance to engage in political contributions. Reports indicate that Gates has expressed concerns in private conversations about the implications of a second Donald Trump presidency.
While he doesn’t have a close relationship with Harris, he has acknowledged the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts on climate change. Gates’s philanthropic foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is particularly worried about potential cuts to family planning and global health programs under a Trump administration.
Gates’s donation was directed to Future Forward’s nonprofit arm, Future Forward USA Action, a 501(c)(4) organization that does not disclose its donors.
In discussing his political preferences, Gates stated, “I support candidates who demonstrate a clear commitment to improving health care, reducing poverty, and combating climate change both in the U.S. and globally.” He added, “This election is different, with unprecedented significance for Americans and the most vulnerable people around the world.”
