The simplest answer to me is the rampant normalization of celebrity sexual misconduct, especially the more philanthropically-oriented. The tipping point for Bil

The simplest answer to me is the rampant normalization of celebrity sexual misconduct, especially the more philanthropically-oriented. The tipping point for Bill Cosby wasn't a criminal investigation or tell-all, just Hannibal Burress offhandedly mentioning the (decade old?) claims in a set. It's confusing to me that we see Bill Gates as a particularly exceptional member of the philanthropic class outside of his extreme wealth. Perhaps the increasing popularity of "Effective Altruism"/Peter Singer's ideas, which align fairly well with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's work. Perhaps it was his ability to avoid scandal.