Kyrie Irving Says It's 'Weird' Bill Gates Owns So Much Land and Water — 'He Owns the Majority of the Water in the U.S.…I Think That's Weird'

Kyrie Irving, an injured Dallas Mavericks All-Star, sparked attention by sharing his thoughts on Twitch regarding Bill Gates' ownership of farmland and water in the United States. He expressed that it is "weird" for Gates to own significant land in North Dakota and what he perceived as the majority of U.S. water, also raising concerns about grocery store products being sprayed with unspecified substances.

Irving's comments ignited social media reactions, with users fact-checking his claims through sources like Grok AI, which clarified that Gates owns approximately 270,000 acres of farmland, accounting for only 0.03% of total U.S. farmland, making him the largest private owner but not holding a majority. The AI also refuted the water ownership claim, stating that water rights are regulated and not dominated by any individual, with some users supporting Irving's skepticism about Gates' influence over essential resources.

According to the Land Report 100, Bill Gates owns about 275,000 acres of farmland spread across at least 18 states, ranking him 43rd among America's largest landowners. This represents a minimal fraction of the over 900 million acres of U.S. farmland, debunking the notion that he owns a majority. The controversy partly stems from a 2022 purchase in North Dakota, where an entity linked to Gates acquired 2,100 acres legally, despite local concerns.

Gates addressed the farmland ownership in a Reddit AMA, stating he owns less than 1/4000 of U.S. farmland and invests to enhance productivity and job creation, with decisions handled by a professional team. The water ownership claim was further dismissed, as water rights are tied to land and subject to state regulations, with no evidence supporting Gates' control over a significant portion of the U.S. water supply.

The news highlights that Gates has become a focal point for conspiracy theories, but factual analysis shows his land and water ownership are far from the exaggerated claims, emphasizing the importance of verifying information in public discussions.