Bill Gates endorses Musk's fiscal strategy, Dogecoin vision: 'Good idea'

While praising Musk's accomplishments, Gates admitted surprise at Musk's involvement in European politics.

Former Microsoft CEO and philanthropist Bill Gates recently shared his thoughts on Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s engagement with European politics and his support for cryptocurrency, particularly Dogecoin.

"I’m surprised Elon talks about EU politics, but Doge is a good idea," Gates remarked during a recent discussion with The Wall Street Journal. Gates acknowledged his long-standing relationship with Musk, saying, "I've known Elon over the years. He's a member of the Gideon Pledge, and I admire a lot of the great work he's done."

BILL GATES: IM SURPRISED ELON TALKS ABOUT EU POLITICS, BUT DOGE IS A GOOD IDEAI've known Elon over the years.He's a member of the Gideon Pledge, and I admire a lot of the great work he's done.I think the idea that looking at government expenditures on a sort of pic.twitter.com/RhCa1YVZ4w

Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 25, 2025

Gates expressed support for Musk's approach to government spending, particularly his suggestion of adopting a zero-based budgeting strategy. “I think the idea that looking at government expenditures on a sort of zero-based budgeting approach could be a valuable thing,” Gates said. He highlighted the potential benefits of reassessing government budgets from the ground up, which could lead to more efficient and effective spending.

Speaking on the current national deficit in the US, Gates underscored the need for urgent action to prevent future financial issues. "I'm amongst the people who think the deficit needs to be brought down because otherwise it will create a financial problem for us," he explained.

Gates also expressed surprise at Musk’s active involvement in European politics. Musk has frequently commented on European policy, particularly as it relates to energy, technology, and regulation, often offering his views on the EU's stance toward innovation and digital infrastructure.

“I’m not trying to talk about European politicians like he is, so some of that surprises me a bit,” the former Microsoft CEO remarked.

Gates continued to express his admiration for Musk’s ability to manage a vast array of projects simultaneously. The philanthropist remarked, “Wow, he finds time to do a lot of things.” He  acknowledged Musk's exceptional work ethic and commitment to his ventures, noting that the Tesla CEO’s ambitious schedule is a testament to his capacity for handling complex global challenges.

Gates concluded his comments on a positive note regarding Dogecoin, the cryptocurrency that Musk has strongly advocated for in recent years. “Dogecoin is a good idea,” he stated. While he did not go into detail about his overall views on cryptocurrency, Gates’ endorsement of Dogecoin was significant given his earlier skepticism toward digital currencies.

In the past, Gates has expressed concerns about cryptocurrencies, particularly around their environmental impact and use in illegal transactions.