Bill Gates Apologizes for Epstein Ties in Unsealed DOJ Files

Bill Gates has apologized for his association with Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender, describing his past interactions as “foolish.” The statement follows the unsealing of new U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) documents that allege inappropriate conduct by the Microsoft co-founder, reigniting public scrutiny of his personal and professional ties.

Epstein, who faced charges of sex trafficking and died by suicide in 2019, has been linked to numerous high-profile individuals. The DOJ’s release last week of the final tranche of documents from related legal proceedings includes emails and testimonies detailing his network. Among the allegations are claims that Gates engaged in extramarital encounters with individuals arranged through Epstein’s trafficking operation and sought medication for a sexually transmitted infection afterward. Some files also reference meetings where healthcare issues were discussed, suggesting potential attempts to leverage Epstein’s connections for health-related influence.

During an interview with 9 News Australia, Gates denied these specific allegations. He asserted that his meetings with Epstein were limited to “a number of dinners” focused on fundraising for global health initiatives tied to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “He knew a lot of very rich people and he was saying he could get them to give money to global health,” Gates explained, though he conceded the efforts yielded no results. “In retrospect, that was a dead end… I was foolish to spend time with him.” He explicitly rejected claims of visiting Epstein’s private island or interacting with women through his network, labeling the STD-related accusations as false. While expressing regret, Gates did not specify the healthcare topics discussed with Epstein.

The document release has drawn reactions from others named in the files. Melinda French Gates, who divorced Bill Gates in 2021, told NPR that the findings caused “unbelievable sadness,” particularly for Epstein’s victims. She has previously cited her husband’s association with Epstein as a factor in their separation.

Additional figures referenced include former U.S. Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, as well as Tesla CEO Elon Musk. All have denied maintaining deep ties to Epstein. Clinton, who acknowledged flying on Epstein’s private jet in the early 2000s without admitting wrongdoing, has agreed to testify before the House Oversight Committee alongside former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as part of a congressional investigation into Epstein’s activities.

The unsealed documents underscore the enduring impact of Epstein’s criminal network and the ongoing legal and public examination of his connections. For Gates and other implicated individuals, the allegations continue to shape perceptions of their legacies, even as they maintain denials and emphasize limited, purposeful interactions.