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submitted 5 days ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/world@lemmy.world

Bill Gates is revealing his plans for the $200 billion he intends to give away through his foundation over the next 20 years, vowing that much of the money will go to Africa.

Gates, who earlier this month told "CBS Mornings" about his plans to donate the bulk of his fortune, disclosed his intentions to focus on Africa on Monday while speaking at Nelson Mandela Hall at the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Gates had previously said his goal was to fund causes that would help save and improve lives around the globe.

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[-] Zombiepirate@lemmy.world 56 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

It shouldn't be his money to spend; it's been skimmed from all the people he has underpaid and the taxes that he's avoided for decades.

Billionaires shouldn't exist, even ones with good PR like Gates.

[-] entwine413@lemm.ee 7 points 5 days ago

That $200b definitely wasn't generated by underpaying employees and avoiding taxes.

[-] Zombiepirate@lemmy.world 29 points 5 days ago

Oh yeah, I forgot to add monopolistic practices that prevented people from effectively operating competing businesses.

That should about cover it.

[-] entwine413@lemm.ee 3 points 5 days ago

That's still not where the $200b came from.

[-] Zombiepirate@lemmy.world 9 points 5 days ago

Please enlighten me on how he could have acquired $200 billion dollars if he had paid his fair share in taxes, fairly compensated his labor, and refrained from monopolistic business practices.

As a reminder, the tax rate for the wealthy during the highest period of economic growth was as high as 91%, whereas Gates has never paid more than 40%.

How do you think his stocks were juiced if not for the aforementioned monopolistic business practices? What kind of capital gains taxes did he pay on those compared to what labor pays on their income? Why should he pay at a lower rate than people who work for a living instead of holding onto wealth?

But perhaps you misunderstand my point: a healthy society would not allow this kind of wealth disparity, as it is inherently destabilizing.

[-] Jumuta@sh.itjust.works 23 points 5 days ago

i love it when people can just buy themselves out of bad publicity <3

[-] skozzii@lemmy.ca 17 points 5 days ago

A huge amount of that 200B should have been spent over the years on social programs and infrastructure if the USA taxes its rich properly , not in Africa. Tax cuts for the rich doesnt help, yet the Republican sheep will fight for it.

[-] DontTreadOnBigfoot@lemmy.world 7 points 5 days ago

How much of that will go straight to the CCP in the form of interest payments on Belt and Road loans?

[-] PTSDwarrior@lemmy.ml 3 points 5 days ago

All of it. And China now has most of Africa.

[-] rumimevlevi@lemmings.world 3 points 5 days ago

Are those money that ia going to be invested to reduce poverty?

[-] njm1314@lemmy.world 4 points 5 days ago

If it's like his other "charity" it will be going as handouts to business and lobbying government against actual aid projects.

this post was submitted on 03 Jun 2025
97 points (100.0% liked)

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