Tuesday on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Microsoft founder Bill Gates revealed he had a phone conversation with President-elect Donald Trump in recent days.

Part of that conversation, Gates said, dealt with Trump seeing areas where things could be improved. In that spirit, Gates likened Trump to former President John F. Kennedy, who he said had a similar “upbeat message” to that of Trump’s.

“[I]n the same way President Kennedy talked about the space mission and got the country behind that, I think 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 organize things, get rid of regulatory barriers, and have American leadership through innovation be one of the things he gets behind.”

“Of course, my whole career has been along those lines,” Gates added. “And he was interested in listening to that. And I’m sure there will be further conversation.”

Follow Jeff Poor on Twitter @jeff_poor