It’s billionaire-on-billionaire violence. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates slammed President Trump’s decision to suspend funding to the World Health Organization.
Halting funding for the World Health Organization during a world health crisis is as dangerous as it sounds. Their work is slowing the spread of COVID-19 and if that work is stopped no other organization can replace them. The world needs @WHO now more than ever.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) April 15, 2020
“Halting funding for the World Health Organization during a world health crisis is as dangerous as it sounds. Their work is slowing the spread of COVID-19 and if that work is stopped no other organization can replace them. The world needs @WHO now more than ever,” Gates wrote on Twitter.
Gates has focused extensively on health care through his philanthropy with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In March, Gates said the U.S. did not act fast enough to stop the pandemic.
The White House defended its decision to suspend the funding while it investigated how the WHO reacted to the coronavirus outbreak.
“Any suggestion that the President is putting the health and safety of the American people or global health aid in jeopardy is false,” deputy press secretary Judd Deere said in a statement. “The WHO’s response to COVID has been filled with one misstep after another, and President Trump is standing up for the American taxpayer to ensure we hold WHO accountable for their flawed actions.”
It remains unclear how President Trump plans to redirect the WHO’s funding, as it is appropriated by Congress.