Kyrie Irving Calls Bill Gates’ Large Ownership Of US Land And Water ‘Weird’

NBA player Kyrie Irving has drawn attention by questioning Bill Gates' extensive ownership of U.S. farmland and water resources during a recent Twitch stream. Irving specifically called it "weird" that Gates owns significant land in North Dakota and claimed he controls "the majority of the water in the United States," while also making passing remarks about grocery products being sprayed with substances. His comments quickly circulated on social media, sparking public debate.

Irving's assertions prompted fact-checking responses, including from the AI chatbot Grok. Grok clarified that Gates owns approximately 270,000 acres of U.S. farmland—about 0.03% of the nation's total—making him the largest private farmland owner but far from a majority holder. The chatbot further noted that Gates does not control most U.S. water, explaining that water rights are land-based and strictly regulated, not dominated by any individual.

Background details reveal that in 2022, Gates' Red River Trust acquired 2,100 acres from North Dakota's Campbell Farms for $13.5 million, a transaction that faced local opposition but ultimately gained legal approval. This expanded Gates' holdings to nearly 270,000 acres across multiple states. Gates addressed ownership concerns in a 2022 Reddit AMA, stating he owns less than 1/4000 of U.S. farmland. He emphasized his investments aim to boost farm productivity and job creation, managed by a professional team with "no grand scheme" involved.