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THE BILLIONAIRE FEUD Cartoon published 05/10/2025 In a recent interview with Stephen Colbert, Bill Gates accused Elon Musk of “killing the world’s poorest children” because his DOGE team helped shut down USAID. Colbert went on to say, “The picture of the world’s richest man killing the world’s poorest children is not a pretty one,” Gates agreed. Musk responded with a post saying, “Gates is a huge liar.” Colbert misses a point: It’s not America’s job to end worldwide suffering. The USA already gives out way too much money to foreign countries—even to countries that hate us. Neither Gates nor Colbert mentioned just how corrupt and wasteful the USAID bureaucracy has been. Nor did they mention how it had been funding Democrat organizations. Instead, they saw the USAID shutdown as a way to disrespect Musk. The feud between the two super-billionaires began when Gates asked Musk to collaborate with him on climate change initiatives. Musk turned him down because Gates had taken out a massive short position against Tesla. Musk claimed his company is doing the most to combat climate change. Gates covered his short position and lost over a billion dollars. That’s not exactly chicken feed, even for a mega billionaire like Gates. Word has it that Gates has shorted Tesla again and has had some success. Bill Gates has long prided himself as an extremely smart man. He must feel some resentment toward Musk, who is commonly recognized as a genius. Gates started Microsoft with the generous help of his influential parents. Few doubt his intelligence with computers, but as far as world health problems are concerned, Gates is not qualified. He has no degree in virology or any kind of degree. Gates is not a genius. Gates also sees himself as a ruthless businessman. The Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen even said Gates tried to dilute his stock and minimize his power within the company. The Microsoft Board wanted to force Bill out in 2020 due to their investigation of his affair with a staffer, but Bill voluntarily stepped down to pursue his foundation agenda. His wife divorced him—probably because of his escapades with his friend, Jeffrey Epstein. Then there’s the matter of people dying in India and Africa due to his experimental vaccine programs. Gates is not very likable even when he wears his fuzzy sweaters. It may be one of the reasons he received several pies to his face ahead of a 1998 business meeting in Brussels. Now the aging Gates wants to be liked. He said he plans on giving ‘virtually all’ of his money away to medical initiatives and end the Gates Foundation in 20 years. Don’t be surprised if he finds a way to give that money to himself. — Ben Garrison