'A grave error': Bill Gates admits Epstein relationship while detailing blackmail plot

"While he may have sought to foster a personal relationship, I was never interested in that and never reciprocated," Bill Gates told the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday as he testified about the numerous times his name has appeared in connection with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Addressing the closed-door congressional panel investigating the government's handling of Epstein's network, Gates openly detailed how Epstein attempted to weaponize sensitive knowledge of the billionaire's extramarital affairs. He, however, distanced himself from Epstein, saying that he was unaware of any illicit activities.

"I never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct. I never went to his island, his ranch, or his Florida home. I have never victimized anyone," Gates said, and claimed that his entry into Epstein’s orbit was strictly fueled by a desire to supercharge his philanthropic initiatives. "My interactions with Epstein began with a limited number of preliminary meetings—three in 2011 and two in 2012—during which I talked about the goals of my work," Gates said. "We began more extensive conversations in 2013 and 2014. The discussions focused on identifying potential giving structures, such as donor-advised funds, and how to enroll individuals he claimed were interested in making significant contributions."

However, the core focus of the congressional inquiry shifted to recently unsealed Department of Justice (DOJ) files, which exposed how Epstein attempted to exert coercive leverage over Gates. Gates admitted to lawmakers that Epstein had acquired "sensitive information about my personal life" and actively used it as currency for intimidation. "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 in his opening statement.

In the many documents released by the DOJ following the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Gates is photographed alongside one of Epstein's pilots near an aircraft. The documents also include draft emails attributed to Epstein, suggesting that Epstein facilitated "illicit trysts" with "married women" for Gates, that Gates had contracted a sexually-transmitted infection (STI) from what Epstein called "Russian girls." As per some of those emails, Gates reportedly took Epstein's help to get drugs to treat the diseases, and also provided the drugs to his former wife, Melinda Gates, without her knowledge. 

Ultimately, Gates did not mince words when assessing his ultimate failure to sever ties with the disgraced financier sooner. "Meeting with Epstein was a grave error in judgment, and put this work at risk," Gates said. "His behavior was antithetical to all my efforts to contribute to a world where everyone has a chance to live a healthy and productive life. If the time I spent with Epstein lent him any credibility, I am deeply sorry. I have learned a significant lesson and am now far more careful about who I engage with, even in a limited capacity."