Bill Gates has strongly criticized Elon Musk, accusing the Tesla and SpaceX CEO of endangering the lives of vulnerable children worldwide by dismantling the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

In an interview with the Financial Times, the Microsoft co-founder expressed alarm over Musk’s decision to eliminate funding for USAID America’s primary foreign aid agency warning that the move could lead to a resurgence of deadly diseases such as HIV, measles, and polio in impoverished regions, particularly in Africa.

"The image of the world’s richest man causing harm to the world’s poorest children is deeply troubling," Gates stated.

Musk’s Department for Government Efficiency (Doge), established earlier this year, assumed control of USAID’s operations in February. The agency, which previously managed over $40 billion in international aid, saw widespread layoffs and abrupt project suspensions following the takeover. Musk described USAID as “a viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America” and labeled it a “criminal organization.”

According to Gates, one of the affected projects included hospital support in Gaza Province, Mozambique. He claimed that Musk shut down funding under false pretenses—alleging that humanitarian resources were being diverted to Hamas in Gaza. “I’d love for him to meet the children who are now infected with HIV because that funding was pulled,” Gates said.

The Gates Foundation has long partnered with USAID on public health efforts, especially in disease prevention and maternal-child health programs across developing countries.

Gates also voiced disappointment in UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for reducing Britain’s overseas aid budget, calling the decision “surprising and disappointing.”

In response to growing backlash, Musk has acknowledged that Doge "made some mistakes," though he has yet to reverse any of the cuts.

This is not the first time the two tech billionaires have clashed. Musk once signed Gates's Giving Pledge, a philanthropic initiative encouraging billionaires to donate half their wealth. However, in recent years, Musk has distanced himself from traditional philanthropy, reportedly calling it “bull****” in Walter Isaacson’s biography.

The fallout from the aid cuts continues to spark concern among global health advocates, who warn that the abrupt withdrawal of funding could have long-lasting effects on fragile health systems worldwide.