Bill Gates has privately donated around $50 million to support Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign for president, according to a report by The New York Times.
The donation was made to a nonprofit group called Future Forward, which is backing Harris’ Democratic bid for the presidency. The contribution was not intended to be publicly disclosed, but sources familiar with Gates’ support confirmed the information to the Times.
This substantial financial contribution marks a shift for Gates, who has typically stayed away from heavily supporting political candidates from either party.
In a statement to The New York Times, Gates explained, “I support candidates who show a clear commitment to improving healthcare, reducing poverty, and tackling climate change, both in the U.S. and globally.”
He emphasized that this election is particularly significant, stating, “This election is different, with unprecedented importance for Americans and the most vulnerable people around the world.”
While Gates has not officially endorsed Harris, he has reportedly expressed concerns to his friends about what a second term for Donald Trump could mean.
His donation to Future Forward, which has raised over $700 million, highlights his growing involvement in the political landscape. Future Forward operates as a super PAC and has a nonprofit “dark money” arm, which allows it to keep its donors anonymous.
In addition to Gates, other wealthy individuals like former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg have also contributed millions to the group.
Melinda French Gates, Bill Gates’ ex-wife, has also contributed significant amounts to organizations supporting Harris’ campaign.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, she shared her views on her newfound independence following her 2021 divorce, stating, “Now I get to make whatever decision I want to make about endorsing or not endorsing on my own.”
She expressed her own shift from staying neutral in politics to becoming more involved in this crucial election cycle.
The 2024 election has drawn a considerable amount of financial backing from some of the nation’s wealthiest individuals, many of whom had previously refrained from actively participating in political donations.
Among these high-profile contributors is Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, who has publicly supported Donald Trump. Musk’s involvement has included a million-dollar sweepstakes for voters in swing states, pushing the boundaries of federal election laws.
Gates’ large donation underscores the heightened stakes in this election and signals the broader trend of billionaires becoming more deeply engaged in the political process.
While Gates has long worked with leaders across the political spectrum on global issues like healthcare and poverty, his decision to get involved in the 2024 election points to his belief in its critical importance for the future of the country and the world.
