Open Letter to the Gates Foundation
On behalf of the 93,000 viewers on Reddit, along with tremendous public outcry, we demand that Bill Gates step down as Sole Chair of the Gates Foundation and Trustee of the Gates Foundation Trust. Should he decline to resign within seven days, we urge the appropriate governing bodies to initiate the formal processes necessary to remove him from both positions.
In simplest terms, Bill Gates has a track record of documented sexual misconduct. Since 2024, Melinda Gates has made numerous public statements and does not deny the Epstein email that contained a plan to give Melinda Gates an antibiotic STI treatment without her knowledge or consent. We believe the alleged conduct described – if accurate – could fall under serious legal categories such as assault involving the non‑consensual administration of medication and potential prescription fraud under applicable law.
In our Reddit post about a MoveOn.org petition (which was pulled down), we received over 90,000 views (and counting) along with more than 700 upvotes, indicating strong support for Bill Gates stepping down. We understand that leadership decisions are not determined by public opinion alone; however, after observing examples of online communities mobilizing significant political change, like Discord and Nepal, we believe that Reddit can reflect a fairly diverse range of perspectives. Over the years, Bill Gates has become a highly polarizing figure, and critics from across political viewpoints argue that he is not fit to represent an organization dedicated to protecting vulnerable people. In a deeply divided society, criticism of his leadership has emerged from multiple ideological directions.
The reason for his removal is straightforward: Bill Gates’ global reputation has been severely damaged, particularly in light of his documented associations with Jeffrey Epstein and the recent release of related documents that have amplified public scrutiny and unverified allegations (which Gates has firmly denied). He can no longer credibly represent mega-philanthropy on the world stage. His continued leadership risks tarnishing the reputation of the United States as a leader in global giving and undermines the credibility of philanthropic institutions. In the eyes of many, his position perpetuates the perception that billionaires in America operate above accountability – a standard we cannot accept for the future we envision.
Our demand remains narrowly focused and unequivocal: Bill Gates must step down immediately. We seek no other structural changes at this time. Discussions about reallocating the Gates Foundation’s substantial resources – currently supporting a $9 billion annual budget in 2026 and a planned $200 billion spend-down through closure in 2045 – or dissolving the organization altogether fall outside our position. Introducing debates over the distribution of such vast funds would ignite unnecessary chaos and division. Thousands of deserving organizations, facing desperate needs, would understandably compete fiercely, potentially undermining the life-saving work that depends on stable, predictable funding. Any future adjustments to these critical programs must be deliberate, transparent, and carefully managed.
We are therefore calling for one clear, immediate, and uncomplicated action: Remove Bill Gates from his roles as Chair and Trustee, allowing another qualified board member to assume the Chair position. All other operations, commitments, and funding streams should remain unchanged. With this distraction eliminated, eventually constructive conversations about the Gates Foundation’s long-term direction can begin. This single step would help restore public trust and better align the institution with its mission of advancing equity and saving lives worldwide.
Sign a petition at removegates.org