The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert - Episode: Bill Gates | New Pope, Who Deus?

Release Date: May 9, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert dives into a mix of light-hearted banter and serious discussions, featuring a significant segment with Bill Gates. The episode opens with Colbert’s typical blend of humor and current events commentary, transitioning seamlessly into an in-depth conversation with the renowned businessman and philanthropist.

1. The New Pope: Pope Leo XIV

Timestamp: [01:36]

Stephen Colbert kicks off the episode with a humorous take on the Vatican’s recent selection of its first American Pope, former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who has adopted the papal name Pope Leo XIV. Colbert jokes about the implications of an American Pope, highlighting cultural shifts and personalizing the Pope’s new role with playful commentary.

• Colbert: "From now on, the Pope's gonna sound like, hey there, it's your buddy Leo, the deep dish."

Colbert also mocks the traditional papal proceedings, suggesting modern and whimsical alternatives like a "Pope reveal party" with cake, underscoring his trademark satirical style.

2. Featuring Bill Gates: Accelerating Philanthropy

Timestamp: [14:02]

The centerpiece of the episode is an engaging interview with Bill Gates, who discusses his recent announcement to accelerate his philanthropic efforts by committing to give away an additional $200 billion over the next 20 years, doubling his original pledge.

• Colbert: "Just curious, how much cash are we talking here? What do we got to give away at this point?"

• Gates: "For these next 20 years, we'll give over 200 billion."

Gates reflects on the significant impact his foundation has made in reducing child mortality, highlighting a decrease from over 10 million child deaths annually in 2000 to less than 5 million in recent years. He emphasizes the success of their initiatives in creating affordable vaccines and collaborating globally to distribute them effectively.

• Gates: "We cut it in half by creating very inexpensive vaccines and working with others to buy those and get them out to all the world's children."

3. Challenges Under the Current Administration

Timestamp: [17:04]

The conversation shifts to pressing global health challenges and the setbacks faced due to the current administration’s policies. Gates expresses concern over the significant cuts to USAID, the CDC, and NIH budgets, which threaten to reverse the progress made in reducing child mortality rates.

• Gates: "We do have, for the first time in 25 years, we have more children dying. Instead of it going down, it's now going up."

He criticizes the administration’s approach to funding essential health programs, particularly GAVI, an alliance crucial for purchasing vaccines for impoverished children worldwide. Gates highlights the urgent need for congressional support to prevent further deterioration of global health initiatives.

• Gates: "I hope to convince Congress, who will decide the budget in time to stay in GAVI."

4. Operation Warp Speed and Anti-Science Sentiments

Timestamp: [24:31]

Bill Gates and Stephen Colbert delve into the legacy of Operation Warp Speed, lauding its success in rapidly developing COVID-19 vaccines. Gates acknowledges the administration's role in this achievement but expresses confusion over the persistent anti-science bias that has emerged, exacerbated by digital media and misinformation.

• Gates: "Operation Warp Speed... had very strong leadership from President Trump and it literally saved millions of lives."

Colbert interjects with humor, suggesting Gates should encourage the president to continue supporting scientific endeavors to maintain public trust and further advancements in areas like HIV, Alzheimer’s, and cancer research.

5. Gates’s Memoir and Early Career Insights

Timestamp: [26:41]

The discussion transitions to Gates’s memoir, "Source Code," where he recounts his early days at Microsoft and his decision to leave Harvard to pursue his entrepreneurial vision.

• Colbert: "You dropped out of Harvard, right?"

• Gates: "If you have an idea that might be super important and very timely, then go ahead. Otherwise, get your degree."

Gates offers nuanced advice on balancing education and entrepreneurial pursuits, emphasizing the importance of timing and the potential impact of one's ideas.

6. Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

As the interview wraps up, Gates reiterates his commitment to leveraging his resources and influence to address some of the world's most pressing health issues. He expresses optimism about achieving significant milestones in eradicating diseases like polio and malaria, while also acknowledging the challenges posed by political and administrative obstacles.

• Gates: "We can finish polio eradication... get rid of malaria... cut HIV by over 90%."

Colbert closes the segment by thanking Gates for his impactful work and the insightful conversation, leaving listeners with a sense of urgency and hope regarding global health advancements.

Notable Quotes

• Colbert on American Pope: "From now on, the Pope's gonna sound like, hey there, it's your buddy Leo, the deep dish." ([01:36])
• Gates on Giving Away Wealth: "For these next 20 years, we'll give over 200 billion." ([17:14])
• Gates on Child Mortality: "We cut it in half by creating very inexpensive vaccines and working with others to buy those and get them out to all the world's children." ([15:20])
• Gates on Administration Cuts: "We have more children dying. Instead of it going down, it's now going up." ([17:04])
• Gates on Operation Warp Speed: "Operation Warp Speed... had very strong leadership from President Trump and it literally saved millions of lives." ([24:41])
• Gates on Education vs. Entrepreneurship: "If you have an idea that might be super important and very timely, then go ahead. Otherwise, get your degree." ([26:58])

Conclusion

This episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert offers a compelling mixture of humor and serious discourse, with Bill Gates providing deep insights into global health, philanthropy, and the challenges posed by current political climates. Colbert’s engaging interviewing style ensures that complex issues are accessible and thought-provoking for listeners, making this episode both entertaining and informative.

Additional Information

Listeners interested in further engaging with Stephen Colbert's content can visit The Late Show YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives. Discounts on products related to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert are available using the promo code "TLS20" at ParamountShop.com.