DONALD Trump could emulate America's most loved president JFK if he plays his cards right - according to world's richest man Bill Gates.

The Microsoft co-founder said he believed the controversial president elect could champion "American leadership through innovation" - just like President Kennedy and the space race in the 1960s.

3 Bill Gates, right, arrives at Trump Tower for a meeting with the president elect after likening him to JFK Credit: Getty Images

The billionaire businessman said he had discussed the subject with Trump over the phone, and suggested the Republican could use his ambition to change the world to tackle epidemics such as polio.

Talking to CNBC's Becky Quick on the network's Squawk Box show, Gates said: "In the same way President Kennedy talked about the space mission and got the country behind that.

3 The Microsoft founder suggested Trump could use his ambition to transform America for good, by tackling health epidemics and education issues Credit: Getty Images

"A lot of his message has been things, he's seen things not as good as he'd like.

"I think that whether it's education or stopping epidemics, other health breakthroughs, finishing polio, and in this energy space, there can be a very upbeat message that his administration is going to organise things, get rid of regulatory barriers, and have American leadership through innovation."

3 Gates visited the president elect at Trump Tower just a few hours after Kanye West Credit: Reuters

He said it was no surprise that innovation was the central theme of the two billionaires' talks as his career had also been "along those lines".

"And he was interested in listening to that," said Gates. "And I'm sure there will be further conversation."

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Just a few hours later, Gates was invited for lunch at the president-elect's office Trump Tower - not long after rapper Kanye West, whose appearance turned heads.

He didn't speak to reporters on his way in, but Gates did address them as he exited his meeting with Trump.

"It was a good time," the Microsoft boss said. "We had a good conversation about innovation, how it can help in health, education, the impact of foreign aid and energy, and a wide-ranging conversation about the power of innovation."

John F Kennedy set out an ambition for the US to become the first country to put a man on the moon after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man to fly in space in 1961.

The young president's ambition was fulfilled in 1969 - almost six years after he was assassinated in Dallas - when Apollo 11 successfully landed.

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