Bill Gates appeared on The View to criticize Elon Musk’s decision to shut down USAID under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative. While acknowledging Musk’s private sector success, Gates expressed concerns about the agency’s closure, emphasizing its role in global health and humanitarian efforts.

USAID, led by Samantha Power during much of the Biden administration, has faced scrutiny for financial mismanagement, alleged funding of Wuhan lab research, and aid for foreign humanitarian and LGBT initiatives. Power, a former UN ambassador, was also linked to the Obama administration’s surveillance of Trump’s 2016 campaign.

Musk recently announced on X that USAID is being dismantled, citing wasteful spending. Critics argue that Power’s leadership oversaw billions in questionable allocations, including nearly $45 million for Venezuelan migrants in Colombia.

In November 2024, Syrian national Mahmoud Al Hafyan was charged with diverting $9 million in U.S. aid to terrorist groups. Republicans continue to investigate USAID’s spending history.