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In what seems to be a tit-for-tat move—especially after Elon Musk announced he would donate $1 million a day to registered voters who sign his PAC petition—Microsoft founder Bill Gates has reportedly thrown his support behind Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race. According to The New York Times, Gates, who is typically known for keeping a low profile in politics, has donated about $50 million to a nonprofit backing Harris's campaign.
While Gates hasn’t explicitly confirmed or denied this donation, he acknowledged that “this election is different,” pointing to concerns over former President Donald Trump's policies, particularly those related to economic issues, family planning, and global health programs.
Gates' decision to support Harris comes amid growing speculation about her chances against Trump in the 2024 race. Recent data from Polymarket, a crypto prediction platform, suggests a significant tilt in favor of Trump, giving him a 64% chance of winning. Similarly, the prediction market PredictIt also shows Trump as the favorite. Investor Stanley Druckenmiller recently commented that market insiders are preparing for a potential "red sweep," indicating a Republican win across the board.
Despite this, Harris continues to receive strong financial backing from influential supporters. Melinda French Gates, Bill Gates' ex-wife, endorsed Harris in July and made a sizable donation, citing her confidence in Harris' ability to address key societal issues. French Gates had previously endorsed President Joe Biden, making her public support for Harris a notable shift.
Laurene Powell Jobs, another prominent billionaire and philanthropist, has also donated to Harris. Powell Jobs has a long history of supporting Democratic causes and candidates through her organization, Emerson Collective. Since 2020, she has contributed more than $3.4 million to Democratic nominees and related funds.
As the 2024 election approaches, Harris appears to be drawing support from several influential figures, even as the odds seem to favor her opponent in prediction markets.
[Source: Fortune.com]
