Bill Gates Breaks Silence on Epstein Ties

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is again facing renewed public attention over his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following newly released Justice Department materials and a rare internal discussion with employees at the Gates Foundation.

During a recent foundation-wide town hall, Gates addressed staff questions directly, acknowledging mistakes in judgment while insisting he had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal conduct. According to foundation representatives, Gates “spoke candidly” and accepted responsibility for decisions that he now says he regrets.

The meeting came amid intensified scrutiny after federal investigators released additional Epstein-related documents containing emails, calendar entries, and photographs linking numerous high-profile figures — including Gates — to meetings and events involving the disgraced financier.

A Public Reckoning Inside the Foundation

The town hall marked one of Gates’ most detailed internal discussions about the controversy. Employees had submitted questions in advance covering topics ranging from the Epstein files to the foundation’s future work in artificial intelligence and global health initiatives.

Foundation officials said Gates answered questions at length and acknowledged that spending time with Epstein was a “huge mistake,” apologizing for allowing the relationship to create reputational challenges for the organization.

Gates has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or awareness of Epstein’s crimes, emphasizing that his interactions were centered on philanthropic discussions. He told staff he believed Epstein could help connect wealthy donors to global health and development initiatives — an expectation he now says proved misguided.

“I regret every minute,” Gates has said publicly in recent weeks, reflecting a shift toward more explicit acknowledgment of poor judgment rather than simple distancing from the relationship.

What the Newly Released Files Show

The Justice Department’s latest document release does not accuse Gates of criminal activity. However, the records confirm multiple contacts between Gates and Epstein after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution.

Materials cited in reporting include correspondence discussing charitable projects, scheduling records documenting meetings across several cities, and photographs taken at shared gatherings.

Gates told foundation staff that he underestimated the seriousness of Epstein’s past and failed to investigate the financier’s background thoroughly at the time. He also said the presence of other prominent individuals at meetings contributed to what felt like a normalized professional environment — a perception he now views as deeply flawed.

According to Gates, his last in-person meeting with Epstein occurred in 2014.

Personal Fallout and Marriage Strain

The controversy surrounding Epstein has long been tied to Gates’ personal life as well. Melinda French Gates, who departed the Gates Foundation in 2024 to focus on her philanthropic organization Pivotal Ventures, has previously said the relationship with Epstein created significant tension within their marriage.

Asked about the matter in recent interviews, she stated that Gates must ultimately answer for his own decisions — comments widely interpreted as underscoring the personal consequences of the association.

During the town hall discussion, Gates also acknowledged past extramarital affairs unrelated to Epstein’s criminal activities, saying he regretted actions that compounded the controversy and distracted from the foundation’s work.

Withdrawal From Public Appearances

The renewed attention has already affected Gates’ public schedule. Shortly after the DOJ documents were released, he withdrew from delivering a keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit, saying he wanted to avoid overshadowing the conference’s focus on technology and development issues.

The decision highlighted how Epstein-related revelations continue to influence Gates’ public engagements years after Epstein’s 2019 death while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

Foundation Emphasizes Separation

Representatives for the Gates Foundation have stressed that Epstein never held any formal role within the organization and received no funding from it. The nonprofit, one of the world’s largest philanthropic institutions, continues to focus on global health, poverty reduction, and disease prevention initiatives.

Still, Gates acknowledged internally that reputational risks matter deeply for philanthropic work, noting that partnerships and public trust are essential to the foundation’s mission.

A Continuing Shadow

Although Gates has not been accused of criminal misconduct, the episode illustrates how Epstein’s network continues to generate fallout across business, politics, and philanthropy years after his death.

For Gates, the latest disclosures appear less about legal exposure and more about legacy — a reminder that associations formed in elite social and financial circles can carry consequences long after the meetings themselves end.

As additional Epstein-related documents continue to emerge, scrutiny surrounding those connections is unlikely to fade anytime soon.