Bill Gates calls time with Epstein 'foolish,' denies any connection to illegal activities

2026-02-05 - 11:35

Microsoft founder Bill Gates stated on Wednesday that it was “foolish” of him to have associated with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and that he regrets “every minute” spent with the late financier. In an interview with 9News Australia, Gates denied any involvement in Epstein’s illegal activities, asserting he never visited Epstein’s private island nor met any of the women involved in the abuse and trafficking allegations. Addressing Specific Allegations Gates also refuted claims referenced in draft emails written by Epstein in 2013, which were included in the latest release of U.S. Justice Department documents. “Apparently, Jeffrey wrote an email to himself. That email was never sent. The email is false,” Gates said. He emphasized that although spending time with Epstein was a mistake, it had “nothing to do with that kind of behavior.” Context of Document Release The remarks follow the disclosure of nearly 3 million pages of documents related to Epstein under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump in November. The files include photos, grand jury transcripts, and investigative records, though many pages remain heavily redacted. Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His earlier 2008 guilty plea for procuring a minor for prostitution has been widely criticized as a lenient “sweetheart deal.”