Famed philanthropist Bill Gates has downplayed rumors swirling on the internet that he is part of a shadowy global cabal pulling the strings for world domination.
Gates dismissed the rumors as mere conspiracy theories in an interview with The New Statesman, noting that the tales had done little to dim his enthusiasm for philanthropy. His comments come ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with the founder pledging to double down on efforts.
The Microsoft founder noted that a majority of the global population has responded positively to his streak of philanthropy, serving as fuel to continue his fight against tropical diseases and poverty.
“If you’re asking for me personally, the world has treated me well enough that overall, I don’t go around and say, ‘You bastards, how could you say these things about me?” said Gates.
The tech billionaire turned philanthropist with a net worth of $60 billion noted that he is taking matters with a “sense of humor,” letting the rumors roll off his back.
Gates has been at the center of several conspiracy theories in recent years with the most damning linked to his vaccination drive. During the COVID-19 pandemic, claims that Gates-backed vaccines implanted microchips in persons for mind control gathered significant steam.
Other claims revolve around a population control agenda while a cross-section of theorists point to Gates being behind the spread of COVID with 5G. In recent years, claims of the foundation supporting mass surveillance and a globalist population agenda have risen in prominence among conspiracy theorists.
Despite the growing dissent for his philanthropic acts, Gates says there has not been any incident of attacks against his person. Gates hinted that as the 25th anniversary of the foundation inches forward, the team will double its efforts to sustain the fight against poverty.
“You worry that some crazy person might attack me, or, even worse, attack members of my family or something,” said Gates. “I’ve had people yell at me, and vague threats, but nothing where anything’s happened.”
A wave of worries
While Gates sounded optimistic during the course of the interview, he expressed worry over the future of philanthropy, noting that several factors can derail the progress made over the span of 25 years.
Gates noted that the decline of financial commitments by advanced economies is a major challenge threatening progress while citing war as another hurdle in the way of progress. For the tech billionaire, artificial intelligence (AI), bioterrorism and climate change may adversely affect philanthropy.
“I always worry about bioterrorism, I worry about nuclear weapons, I worry about climate change,” said Gates. “And now I would add AI, although it’s the most positive innovation, it happens so quickly that it will be disruptive.”