Bill Gates Testifies in Congress, Denies Personal Tie with Jeffrey Epstein

Sat Jun 13 2026 12:33:36 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Bill Gates confirms he never had a personal relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and cut ties when fundraising failed, amid allegations of influence.

In a closed‑door hearing, Gates told the House Oversight Committee that he never engaged in a personal relationship with Epstein, withdrew his support once fundraising stalled, and slammed the former financier’s alleged “friend‑collector” tactics. He highlighted evidence that Epstein used knowledge of Gates’ private affairs to pressure him. The testimony sheds light on the ties between Gates, his philanthropic foundation and Epstein, who the DOJ documented in thousands of pages. Gates also echoed earlier admissions of regretting any association with Epstein and urged justice for the survivors.

In a closed‑door hearing before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, billionaire Bill Gates testified that he had never had a personal relationship with former financier Jeffrey Epstein. Gates explained that he cut ties once Epstein failed to deliver on fundraising promises for the Gates Foundation and that he had never visited Epstein’s island, ranch, or Florida home.

Gates described Epstein as a “friend collector” and said that the former financier tried to use information about his private affairs to pressure him into re‑engagement. He emphasized that he had always made it clear that Epstein would not receive any compensation or role in the foundation’s work.

The testimony digs into a trove of documents released by the Department of Justice that mention Gates thousands of times. Those pages include photos of the two men together and draft emails that allege Epstein would have facilitated illicit trysts involving Gates’ “married women,” as well as rumors of an “IRS‑related infection” and the facilitation of antibiotics for Gates’ then‑wife, Melinda Gates. Gates repeatedly denies these claims.

Lawmakers questioned Gates about his knowledge of Epstein’s background, noting that Epstein was criminally convicted in Florida in 2010 for solicitation of prostitution and could have been convicted for more severe crimes in 2019. Despite this, Gates claimed he had not known about any wrongdoing until after the DOJ’s January leak.

In the session, Members of the committee pressed Gates about his decision to stop pursuing Epstein’s alleged donors. Gates admitted that he recognized Epstein’s group of potential donors was “a dead‑end.” He said he concluded Epstein would not deliver on promises and ended the relationship. Gates also expressed hope that survivors of Epstein’s crimes would receive justice.

Gate’s testimony is part of a broader effort to clarify the philanthropic links between high‑profile figures and Epstein, as well as the role of alleged “information” used to pressure donors. The hearing highlighted the complex web of power and influence that brought Gates, Clinton, President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and others into the mix of questions about Epstein’s network.

For deeper context, see the BBC article on the questions Bill Gates faces in Congress and references to Gates’ own statements on the matter.