Former President Donald Trump stirred up some intrigue Friday morning, revealing on Truth Social that tech magnate Bill Gates had expressed interest in visiting Mar-a-Lago. The post, infused with Trump’s signature flair, called Mar-a-Lago the “Center of the Universe” and hinted at a lively New Year’s Eve celebration, as reported by The Hill.
“Where are you? When are you coming to the ‘Center of the Universe,’ Mar-a-Lago? Bill Gates asked to come, tonight,” Trump posted. “We miss you and x! New Year’s Eve is going to be AMAZING!!!”
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The post comes amid a wave of attention from tech and automotive leaders eager to curry favor with Trump ahead of his second term. Companies like Toyota, Ford, Amazon, Meta, and OpenAI have already contributed to his inaugural fund, signaling efforts to build bridges with the GOP powerhouse.
Tech executives have also been making their way to Florida for meetings with Trump, aiming to foster a more collaborative relationship.
The relationship between Trump and Gates has been anything but smooth. Gates, a staunch supporter of progressive causes, hasn’t hesitated to criticize Trump in the past, particularly over foreign policy and his administration’s handling of COVID-19.
Despite their differences, Gates extended congratulations to Trump for his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in November—a surprising gesture given Gates’ $50 million donation to a Harris-aligned PAC and his ex-wife Melinda French Gates’ endorsement of Harris.
Congratulations to President Trump and VP-elect Vance. America is at its strongest when we use ingenuity and innovation to improve lives here in the U.S. and around the world. I hope we can work together now to build a brighter future for everyone.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) November 7, 2024
Still, this isn’t the first time Gates has sat down with Trump. Back in December 2016, shortly after Trump’s first electoral victory, the two met in New York City for what Gates described as a “good time.”
“We had a good conversation about innovation, how it can help in health, education, the impact of foreign aid and energy, and a wide-ranging conversation about power of innovation,” Gates said at the time.
When asked for comment on the recent developments, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation redirected inquiries to Gates Ventures, Gates’ personal service company. As of this writing, additional details have yet to emerge.
Trump’s post about Gates adds another layer of intrigue to the former president’s influential role in the tech world. Whether Gates makes an appearance at Mar-a-Lago remains to be seen, but the mere mention of it underscores Trump’s enduring ability to keep the spotlight firmly fixed on him.
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