Bill Gates appears before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, reaffirming that he never had a personal friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Gates claimed that he cut ties when Epstein failed to deliver on fundraising promises for the Gates Foundation.
The former Microsoft co‑founder said that Epstein had attempted to use knowledge of his marital infidelities to coerce him into maintaining a connection. No evidence was presented that Gates ever traveled to Epstein’s island or Florida residence.
Gates also addressed allegations from a series of emails that were released by the Department of Justice. He denied any wrongdoing and stated he was aware that Epstein was convicted, yet continued to meet with him for philanthropic causes.
In remarks to the committee, Gates emphasized his hope that survivors obtain justice and that his foundation’s operations remain separate from Epstein’s influence.
The testimony joins other high‑profile figures, including former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who have faced congressional scrutiny over their interactions with Epstein.
Lawmakers probed Gates on his knowledge of Epstein’s past convictions and satirically mentioned that Gates appeared “down‑trodden” for his wealth. The session did not reveal any new financial links between the foundation and Epstein.
The committee will continue to assess the claims, and Gates said he would give names of individuals Epstein approached in future reports, though he has not made them public.
