The White House still does n’t have an official scientific adviser . Still . However , it sounds like Trump continue on the watch for one . Back in March , during their third ever take on - up , Trump necessitate Bill Gates whether he would be interested in a new chore as his scientific advisor . Gates , however , was not interested in the crack .
In an consultation withSTAT , Gates talk about his late 40 - mo meeting in the Oval Office . He severalise Trump he should be consider fill the post of Science Advisor , prompting the President to postulate him whether he would be interested in the role .
Gates reply : “ that ’s not a right use of my time . "
“ I did n’t put him to the tryout , whether that was a serious thing or not , ” Gates toldSTAT . “ He probably himself did n’t get it on if he was serious . It was a friendly thing . He was being friendly . ”
Serious or not , someone needs to take up the job . It ’s been 16 months since Trump run into the White House and the part of Science Advisor to the President isyet to be fill . The Office of Science and Technology Policy has numerous vacant leadership character and remains depleted of staff .
Gates , the billionaire founder of Microsoft , is not a scientist per se , buthis philanthropic work withthe Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is deeply involved in the intersection between science , technology , political sympathies , and societal policy . The charitable foundation has seat billion of dollar mark into some of the populace ’s biggest and most challenging scientific go-ahead , including malaria prevention , vaccination , accessible healthcare programs , and literacy programs .
He might have the correct certification , but it ’s unclear how Gates would outfit into the politics ofthe Trump White House . For one matter , Gates is hard tangled in taking action against climate change , a job that Trump has repeatedly shown unconcern or even hostility towards . In regard to Trump pulling out of the Paris climate agreement last year , Gatesposted on Facebookthat he was “ profoundly concerned with the decision " .
John Holdren , the last theatre director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy , has had a few words to say about Trump and his definitely anti - scientific rhetoric too , oncesaying“We seem to have a chairman now who resists facts" . Speaking toCBS Newsin November 2017 , Holdren also describe Trump as a " science and engineering talent repellent " .
With a final worth of$90 billion , it probably was n’t worth the pouch money either .
