Bill Gates Declares No Personal Bond With Jeffrey Epstein During Congressional Testimony
Billionaire Bill Gates appeared voluntarily in Washington this week for a closed‑door hearing with the House Oversight Committee. He insisted that he never had a personal relationship with convicted sex‑offender Jeffrey Epstein and that his association ended when the latter failed to deliver on promised fundraising for the Gates Foundation.
Gates told the committee that Epstein used information about his extramarital affairs to try to pressure him into re‑engaging with him. “I never went to his island, his ranch, or his Florida home. I have never victimized anyone,” Gates said, adding that he “was never interested in that and never reciprocated.”
The testimony highlighted the “friend‑collector” role that Epstein played. Committee members described how Epstein attracted powerful men, including Gates, to display his influence, a practice Gates called out in his remarks. Gates also acknowledged that he had made poor judgments when first meeting Epstein, saying, “I was one of many people who regret ever knowing him.”
Gates details that the funding discussions began in 2011, after Epstein’s Florida conviction. When the billionaire saw that the potential donors presented by Epstein seemed to be unwilling to proceed, Gates decided he would no longer engage and cut ties. He added that he clarified in advance that Epstein could not receive any compensation from the Foundation.
The committee’s Democratic chair reported that Gates said, “I was aware that Jeffrey Epstein could be convicted for a horrific crime, and I continued to interact with him to seek money for my foundation.” Gates also disclosed that he was unaware of an “18‑month thing” that limited Epstein’s travel and that he did not perform sufficient due‑diligence checks on his background.
Other lawmakers noted that Gates’ answers demonstrate how those who met with Epstein often only saw what they wanted to see. Gates also said he hopes “the survivors of Epstein’s crimes can get the justice that they deserve.”
The testimony is now part of an ongoing investigation that has seen the DOJ release millions of pages of documents, with Gates mentioned thousands of times. The record also includes photographs of Gates with Epstein, prompting further scrutiny over the nature of their relationship.
With additional reporting by Chief North America Correspondent Gary O’Donoghue
