Bill Gates Says It's 'Misinformation' That He Or Fauci Benefitted Or Made Money On Vaccines 'Is That a Joke?'

Musician Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson discussed his path to discovering the potential of plant-based foods and his effort to bring them to a wider audience during a discussion with Microsoft Inc. Founder Bill Gates. 

During an episode of “Unconfuse Me with Bill Gates,” Thompson, a multifaceted artist who is a member of the band The Roots, said he initially was skeptical about plant-based foods, but a blind taste test pitting a plant-based burger against a beef patty from Shake Shack turned his curiosity into conviction. 

This pivotal moment showcased the evolving quality of plant-based alternatives and marked the beginning of Thompson's journey into food advocacy and investment. His efforts aim to disrupt the narrative around plant-based eating, making it accessible and appealing to those who might view the option with skepticism.

Don't Miss:

Gates and Thompson also touched on the broader implications of plant-based foods, particularly their roles in addressing climate change and animal welfare concerns. Gates, coming from a climate perspective, shared his optimism for innovation in the field, highlighting the ongoing improvements to make plant-based foods more appealing and environmentally sustainable.

Thompson's influence extends beyond his passion for plant-based meats. He discussed the impact of location and accessibility of healthier food options on communities, sharing a revelation from a conversation with Magic Johnson about the strategic placement of restaurants in underserved neighborhoods. The discussion shed light on the socio-economic barriers to healthy eating, reinforcing Thompson's commitment to changing the narrative around food in these communities.

Trending: This ‘Future of Gaming’ startup disrupting a $272 billion industry is now letting anyone invest for a limited time.

The interview ventured into the impacts of plant-based meals on the environment and reducing global warming and how the Gates Foundation has been investing heavily in plant-based alternatives for that reason. Gates discussed the foundation's work on eradicating malaria, the pandemic and the many conspiracy theories peddled about him over the years. 

"There was all this insanity about misinformation that maybe I was benefiting from it or maybe (former Chief Medical Adviser to the President Dr. Anthony) Fauci was making money off of vaccines, things that were so the opposite, that even today, I kind of think, hey, is that a joke?" Gates said. 

Gates, initially undeterred by these claims, became concerned when people started taking them seriously. "You run into people who actually believe these things," he said. "That was a crazy time."

But Gates said the controversy wasn't entirely bad. He described it as "scary" but said it got him to think "about my life and what I value, friendships," so some good came out of it. 

Read About Startup Investing:

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
Comments
Loading...
Posted In: GeneralStartups Access
Benzinga simplifies the market for smarter investing

Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.

Join Now: Free!