Additional Coverage:
- Melinda French Gates says she made a ‘substantial’ donation to the Harris-Walz campaign (newsbreak.com)
**Billionaire Philanthropist Melinda French Gates Makes Substantial Donation to Kamala Harris’ Campaign**
Melinda French Gates has stepped into the political arena by making a significant donation to Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign, according to Vanity Fair. This marks French Gates’ first presidential endorsement, a notable move given her history of steering clear of partisan issues.
Previously, as a key figure at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, she distributed donations across party lines, including both Republicans and Democrats. However, she believes another term with former President Donald Trump poses a threat to reproductive rights, an area she is deeply committed to.
French Gates, whose net worth is nearly $11 billion, has focused her philanthropy on women’s and reproductive rights. In May, she pledged to donate $1 billion by 2026 to causes supporting women, families, and reproductive rights. While she hasn’t specified the exact amount contributed to the Harris-Walz campaign, she has expressed an ongoing commitment by offering to host fundraising events.
The vice president and French Gates share common ground on various issues. They have met multiple times, including at state dinners, where they fostered a relationship based on mutual interests.
Despite the influx of mega-donors in the current election and talk of Silicon Valley’s potential shift to the right, French Gates believes the political landscape there remains balanced, suggesting it’s “quite split Democrat and Republican.”
For further details, visit Business Insider.