BILL Gates has spilled “surprising” details after meeting Donald Trump for the first time – which left the trailblazing tech billionaire “impressed”.
The Microsoft co-founder met the president-elect over a three-hour dinner ahead of Trump’s inauguration on Monday.
Wall Street JournalBill Gates revealed what went on during his first time meeting Donald Trump[/caption]
GettyGates had a three-hour dinner with the president-elect[/caption]
GettyThe Microsoft co-founder said he was left ‘impressed’ by Trump’s interest in global health[/caption]
It was the first time the pair met and comes as Gates’ focus on global health rubs up against Trump’s “America First” ethos.
Gates has now divulged details of the two titans meeting to the Wall Street Journal – including what surprised him about meeting the Republican.
In an snippet of the interview set to air next week, the tech mogul said: “We touched on a lot of things. It was over three hours, to my surprise.”
The dinner included just Gates, Trump, Trump’s chief of staff Susie Wiles, and a member of Gates’ team.
Gates’ foundation has pumped billions into fighting disease, raising issues like HIV cures and polio eradication at the exclusive meeting.
And the tech mogul was apparently left captivated by Don’s interest in global health.
“I spoke a lot about HIV and that the Foundation is literally working on a cure for that. We’re at an early stage,” he began.
“He [Trump], in the COVID days, accelerated the vaccine innovation. I was asking him if maybe the same kind of thing could be done here.”
Trump’s reaction surprised him.
“We both got, I think, pretty excited about that,” he said.
“I explained why polio’s been tough in Pakistan, Afghanistan.
“We’ve had cases show up in Gaza and Africa.
“He was fascinated to hear what he could do to help. I felt like he was energized. I was frankly impressed.”
Tech titans cozy up to Trump
Bill Gates isn’t the only tech giant getting close to Donald Trump.
Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Mark Zuckerberg will attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday, January 20, CBS News reported.
The power trio, worth a combined $850 billion, seem eager to stay in Trump’s orbit.
Musk, the world’s richest man, has even been tapped to co-lead Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Amazon, under Bezos, is donating $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund and will stream the event on Prime – essentially another $1 million in-kind donation.
GettyElon Musk has been one of Trump’s biggest financial backers and a growing BFF of the president-elect[/caption]
ReutersMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg will be one of the tech moguls attending Trump’s inauguration on Monday[/caption]
GettyAmazon boss Jeff Bezos will not only attend but is also donating $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund and will stream the event on Prime[/caption]
And Meta, Zuckerberg’s company, is also contributing $1 million to the fund.
Meanwhile, former First Lady Michelle Obama will skip Monday’s festivities – just days after ditching former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral.
It comes as Trump has been forced to move his inauguration inside due to freezing weather, marking the first indoor ceremony since 1985.
Bone-chilling temperatures are threatening Trump’s big day on January 20 as tens of thousands of Americans flock to the Capitol to see the president-elect sworn in.
Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance are set to be sworn into office inside the US Capitol Rotunda due to the cold.
Attendees will watch the swearing-in at a live viewing from Washington’s Capitol One sports arena.
“It is my obligation to protect the people of our country but, before we even begin, we have to think of the inauguration itself,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country.
“I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way.”
Washington DC is forecast to be at about 18 degrees when Trump is sworn in at noon on Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
ReutersPresident-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration is being moved indoors due to dangerously cold temperatures expected on Monday[/caption]
The US Capitol in Washington DC during a rehearsal of the 2025 presidential inauguration before it was moved indoorsEPA
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