Bill Gates took responsibility for his association with the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a town hall meeting with employees of the Gates Foundation, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the philanthropic organization. This response was prompted by a Wall Street Journal report referencing Gates’ remarks in the town hall.
According to documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Gates had multiple meetings with Epstein post his prison release to discuss expanding philanthropic activities. Gates admitted in the town hall that spending time with Epstein and involving Gates Foundation executives in meetings with him was a significant error.
While Gates clarified that he did not engage in any illegal activities and did not witness any illicit behavior, he expressed regret for the repercussions faced by others due to his mistakes.
The Gates Foundation stated that it did not provide any financial support to Epstein or employ him. The DOJ documents included redacted images of Gates with unidentified women, which he explained were taken at Epstein’s request with his assistants after their meetings.
Gates recounted that his interactions with Epstein were solely centered on philanthropy-related discussions and acknowledged the error in meeting with him. The foundation emphasized that Gates openly addressed a range of issues, including the release of the Epstein files, during the town hall with employees.
The Epstein Transparency Act, enacted in late 2025, mandated the release of extensive files related to investigations into Epstein. This release has led to increased scrutiny on individuals associated with Epstein, resulting in resignations and accountability measures in the U.S. and Europe.
Furthermore, Gates’ former wife, Melinda Gates French, publicly mentioned that the Epstein connection played a role in their marriage’s breakdown. Gates also disclosed to foundation employees his extramarital affairs with Russian women that Epstein later discovered, clarifying that these women were not victims of Epstein.
Several notable figures, including former U.S. treasury secretary Larry Summers and Nobel laureate Dr. Richard Axel, have distanced themselves from institutions or resigned from positions following revelations of their interactions with Epstein. The fallout from the Epstein files continues to impact individuals globally, with some facing legal consequences for their associations with the disgraced financier.
