Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation, recently addressed his controversial association with Jeffrey Epstein during a town hall meeting with foundation employees. This discussion followed the release of emails that provided further insight into Gates’ ties with the convicted sex offender. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Gates asserted in a recorded portion of the meeting that he “did nothing illicit” during his interactions with Epstein, claiming he never stayed overnight and they met in various countries.
During the meeting, Gates also revealed personal details, admitting to an affair with a Russian bridge player and a nuclear physicist. He noted that Boris Nikolic, a close associate, had discussed these relationships with Epstein. Gates, who divorced Melinda French in 2021, responded to various questions from staff about the implications of the recently released Epstein emails, the foundation’s initiatives in artificial intelligence, and its future in global health.
A spokesperson for the Gates Foundation described Gates as candid in his responses, stating he took responsibility for his past actions. The flood of documents released by the U.S. Justice Department in January implicated numerous politicians, academics, and business leaders, prompting some to resign from their positions. For instance, Dr. Peter Attia stepped down as a contributor for CBS News, labeling his involvement in the Epstein emails as “embarrassing, tasteless, and indefensible.”
Gates has consistently expressed regret over his decisions to associate with Epstein, describing it as a mistake. Just last week, the foundation announced that Gates would not attend an upcoming artificial intelligence summit in India as initially planned. The documents from the Justice Department revealed exchanges between Gates and Epstein regarding philanthropic fundraising, discussions about the search for Microsoft’s CEO, and even a $1 bet concerning the Euro’s performance. Notably, these emails also indicated that Gates and foundation staff would occasionally funnel information to Epstein, who would provide suggestions on their strategies.
In a statement, the Gates Foundation clarified that only a small number of its employees interacted with Epstein, motivated by his claims of being able to mobilize significant philanthropic resources for global health. The foundation emphasized that it never compensated Epstein, nor did any fund materialize from these interactions. They also expressed their condemnation of Epstein’s actions, noting, “The harm he inflicted on women and girls was horrific, and no one should ever have to experience what they did.”
The recent revelations and Gates’ comments continue to attract scrutiny as the public and media assess the fallout from the Epstein scandal, focusing on how these connections can impact philanthropic organizations and their missions in global health and development.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/25/bill-gates-epstein-files-affair.html
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Publish Date: 2026-02-25 22:32:00
