Melinda French Gates formally endorsed President Biden on Thursday, marking another step into partisan politics by a woman who has resisted entering the arena for decades.
Her choice of candidate was never in doubt. French Gates, a vocal advocate for women and girls around the world, had been critical of President Trump. She was also disappointed with former President Donald J. Trump’s appointment of Supreme Court justices who played a key role in overturning Roe v. Wade. But she and her ex-husband, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, insisted they would not formally endorse any political campaigns, arguing that such comments could hurt their ability to work with politicians of both parties on issues such as public health and philanthropy.
French Gates acknowledged that history Thursday afternoon. “I have never endorsed a presidential candidate before, but this year’s election means so much to women and families that I cannot remain silent this time,” she wrote on X. “I will be voting for President Biden.”
As recently as 2016, French said she and Gaetz “never endorsed a candidate,” despite her friendship with Hillary Clinton. Eight years later, her position has changed. Though she has yet to donate to Biden’s campaign, she has made multiple six- and seven-figure donations to Democratic groups over the past few years. On Wednesday, for example, Federal Election Commission disclosures revealed that she had donated $500,000 to a super PAC affiliated with Emily’s List, a liberal advocacy group that supports Democratic women candidates who support abortion rights.
The political donations are likely to continue: French Gates secured his own funding as part of his recent separation from Gates, a deal that also included him stepping down as co-chair of their joint charity, the Gates Foundation.
