'What a waste of a vote': Melinda French Gates derided for saying she'll endorse Biden as Trump 'endangered' women

WASHINGTON, DC: Melinda French Gates publicly endorsed President Joe Biden's bid for reelection, a first in her history of philanthropic involvement.

Melinda weighed on the 'enormously consequential' election for women and families for the reason of her first-ever presidential endorsement. 

'I can’t stay quiet': Melinda French Gates on endorsing Joe Biden

Melinda, 59, wrote in a CNN op-ed that “the stakes for women and families couldn’t be higher."

She also posted the article on her X handle (formerly Twitter). “I’ve never endorsed a presidential candidate before,” Melinda French wrote in the op-ed.

“But this year’s election stands to be so enormously consequential for women and families that, this time, I can’t stay quiet," she added.

"Women deserve a leader who cares about the issues they face and is committed to protecting their safety, their health, their economic power, their reproductive rights, and their ability to freely and fully participate in a functioning democracy," she added.

"In this election, the contrast couldn’t be greater, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. I will be voting for President Biden," the philanthropist wrote.

Melinda French Gates says Donald Trump's leadership 'endangered' women

Emphasizing that this year is "different," Melinda said, "My work on gender equality and global health often requires me to work with leaders on both sides of the aisle, so I’ve avoided talking publicly about who I voted for in past elections,” she explained. “But this year is different."

Melinda said former President Donald Trump's term is not safe for women, "...Trump’s first term in office endangered the health of women, compromising their safety and robbing them of essential freedoms."

Her endorsement of Biden occurred a month following her departure from The Gates Foundation, the philanthropic organization she established with her former spouse, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, from whom she divorced in 2021.

Melinda French Gates mentions reproductive health as the main reason for endorsing Joe Biden 

Melinda cited Trump's global gag rule which restricted foreign funds to organizations' reproductive services, which, on an estimate, caused "more than 100,000 maternal and child deaths globally."

She also cited restrictions of the federal planning program via Title X, "That made it harder for people from low-income backgrounds to access contraceptives."

Moreover, Trump's "sexist attacks" on women journalists and calling for the jail of opponents have created a "hostile political climate for women in office," argued Melinda.

She said it allows threats against election workers most of whom are women.

Melinda French Gates cites Roe v Wade

Melinda also cited the overturning of Roe v Wade as one of the reasons she is endorsing Biden in the 2024 Presidential election.

Trump “deliberately appointed Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe v Wade, which resulted in a decision with far-reaching and catastrophic consequences for women and families,” she wrote.

She also commended Biden's efforts in financing reproductive health for women both in the US and internationally.

“While Trump has boasted about rolling back the rights of women, Biden understands that the future of our country depends on them," Melinda wrote further.

"That’s why Biden has earned my vote. I urge anyone who cares about women and families to join me,” she added.

Internet reacts to Melinda French Gate endorsing Joe Biden

“Nobody cares what Ms. Bill Gates has to say,” Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump’s campaign said to The Hill.

“These people have an over-inflated sense of their supposed power and think their money to liberal causes can buy elections," Cheung added. 

Netizens were also divided over Melinda's endorsement of Biden.

"We deserve a leader who knows it's Thursday. Joe Biden doesn't qualify for that," wrote one on X. 

"I’m sure this’ll swing a lot of votes, lot of people were sitting on the sidelines until they got word of who Bill Gates’s ex wife was going to be voting for I’m sure," wrote another. 

"Imagine thinking your endorsement matters," mocked one.

"It’s comforting to know that no one in today’s society gives a flying f**k who people like Melinda Gates are voting for. As a matter of fact, today’s society thinks she’s part of the problem. This confirms that," wrote an X user in comments.

There were words of appreciation too, "Thank you so much for your beautifully worded message."

"Protecting women’s and girls’ basic human rights is essential," commented one more. "What a waste of a vote!" was another comment 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.