Melinda French Gates officially endorsed President Biden on Thursday. This is the latest step into partisan politics for women who for decades refused to join the fight.
Her choice of candidate was never really in question. French Gates, who represents the voices of women and girls around the world, was critical of Trump’s presidency. And she was disappointed that former President Donald J. Trump appointed a Supreme Court justice who played a key role in overturning Roe v. Wade. However, French Gates and her ex-husband, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, have publicly insisted that they not endorse political campaigns. He said such comments could damage the charity’s ability to engage with politicians of both parties on issues such as public health. .
French Gates acknowledged that history Thursday afternoon. “I have never supported a presidential candidate. But this year’s election has so many consequences for women and families that we cannot sit idly by this time,” she wrote on X. “I will vote for President Biden.”
As recently as 2016, French Gates said that despite his friendship with Hillary Clinton, he and Gates “never support a candidate.” Eight years later her position changed. Although she has yet to donate to Mr. Biden’s campaign, she has made six- and seven-figure donations to Democratic groups over the past few years. For example, the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday revealed that she donated $500,000 to a super PAC affiliated with Emily’s List, a liberal advocacy group that supports Democratic female candidates who advocate for abortion rights.
More political donations are likely. Mr. French Gates recently established his own war chest as part of his separation from Mr. Gates. The terms of that agreement included her resigning as co-chairman of her joint charity, the Gates Foundation.
