Nicolai Haugsted
The Microsoft co-founder has spoken out in front of membersof Congress
Years after questions first emerged about his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, Bill Gates has now addressed the issue directly before members of Congress.
According to Reuters, the Microsoft co-founder appeared before a House committee on Wednesday as lawmakers continued their investigation into the handling of the Epstein case and the wider network of people connected to the disgraced financier.
During the closed-door testimony, Gates acknowledged that he underestimated the seriousness of Epstein’s criminal conduct when the two interacted over philanthropic initiatives.
Gates says he misjudged Epstein
According to prepared remarks, Gates told lawmakers that his meetings with Epstein were centered on charitable efforts and fundraising discussions.
Looking back, however, he admitted he failed to grasp the full extent of Epstein’s crimes.
“I did not fully understand the extent” of Epstein’s crimes.
Gates also repeated a position he has expressed publicly before, describing his association with Epstein as a mistake.
Federal documents released earlier this year showed that the pair met numerous times after Epstein served a prison sentence in Florida in 2008.
Blackmail allegations emerge
One of the most striking elements of Gates’ testimony involved accusations that Epstein attempted to pressure him using information about his personal life.
Gates told lawmakers that Epstein sought to exploit knowledge of his extramarital affairs in an effort to maintain contact.
“These affairs had nothing to do with my interactions with Epstein, but they were painful for my family.”
He continued:
“Epstein was working to use information about my infidelities — in addition to many lies that he layered on top — to pressure me to re-engage with him.”
Gates said he never witnessed criminal behavior firsthand during his interactions with Epstein.
Congressional investigation continues
Lawmakers are examining how federal authorities handled investigations involving Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Questions surrounding plea agreements, prosecutorial decisions, sex-trafficking investigations, government transparency, and Epstein’s death remain central to the inquiry.
Committee chairman James Comer requested Gates’ appearance earlier this year as part of that broader investigation.
Reports also indicate that Gates hired former congressional investigator Jake Greenberg to assist in preparing for the interview.
Foundation ties under scrutiny
Attention has not been limited to Gates personally.
The Gates Foundation has also faced renewed scrutiny following the release of Justice Department documents that revealed communications between Epstein and foundation employees.
Earlier this year, the foundation launched an external review examining its past interactions with the late financier.
A spokesperson previously said Gates had already addressed the matter internally and had “taken responsibility for his actions” during discussions with foundation staff.
Wider fallout from newly released files
Millions of pages of government records released this year have shed new light on Epstein’s connections to prominent figures across politics, business, finance and academia.
The documents revealed links to numerous high-profile individuals, including President Donald Trump, who socialized extensively with Epstein during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Release of those records intensified political pressure in Washington and fueled fresh scrutiny of how authorities managed one of the most controversial criminal investigations in modern American history.
For Gates, Wednesday’s testimony marked his most detailed public account yet of how his relationship with Epstein began, why it continued, and why he now says it should never have happened.
