Melinda Gates Offers Harsh Criticism Of Trump’s Response, Handling Of Coronavirus

Melinda Gates, noted philanthropist and wife of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, had harsh words for President Trump's handling of the COVID-19 outbreak. In an interview Monday with Yahoo Finance, Melinda Gates condemned Trump’s hands-off response to the pandemic and said that the failings of his administration are costing lives.

“We are lacking leadership at the federal level in the United States, and it's highly distressing and disappointing,” Melinda Gates said. “To have 50 state grown solutions is inefficient. It makes no sense. And it's costing people their lives.”

Melinda Gates on Thursday gave the Trump administration a "D-minus" grade for its handling of the pandemic, noting that lack of funding for testing and vaccine development and citing a lack of a coordinated, national response.

Others have been critical of Trump's response in the early stages of the coronavirus, as well. In mid-April, Trump responded to criticism by providing White Press reporters a video timeline that resembled a campaign pitch, touting the administration's accomplishments. CBS News reporter Paula Reid pressed Trump on a time gap of accomplishments in February.

In 2000, Melinda Gates and her husband co-founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with the primary goal of fighting poverty and providing healthcare worldwide. The topic of health, especially the threat of potential pandemics, has been a major concern of the billionaire couple.

The Seattle-based foundation currently holds roughly $46.8 billion in assets and distributes $4 billion in grants every year. It has also pledged $300 million to start for programs that aim to fight COVID-19.

“If we had a good testing and tracing system like Germany has, we would have started to reopen slowly more places in the economy,” Melinda Gates explained. “People wouldn't be struggling so much to put a meal on their table. The lack of action is really causing harm and hurt unnecessarily in this country. And I'm incredibly disappointed to see that.”

Appearing Friday on NBC's "Today," Melinda Gates highlighted the government’s need to address the caregiving crisis affecting families, and mothers in particular. She called for Congress to pass a “paid family medical leave policy” and said that U.S. is the only industrialized country without one.

“If we’re going to look at re-opening our economy, we have to take care of our most essential workers,” Melinda Gates said. “Eighty-five percent of nurses are women. And yet, who is the primary caregiver at home? Women. Who is the primary one for educating the kids? Women.”