Bill Gates has publicly addressed his past connection with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, expressing profound regret for every moment spent with the disgraced financier. The billionaire's candid remarks emerge as the United States Department of Justice unveils millions of new documents related to Epstein's extensive and influential network.
Gates Denies Allegations in Epstein Documents
The Microsoft co-founder has firmly rejected allegations associated with his name in the recently released files. In an exclusive interview with 9 News Australia, Gates described claims found in draft emails linked to Epstein as completely untrue and "absolutely absurd." He emphasized his remorse, stating, "Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologize that I did that."
Questioning Epstein's Motives
Gates suggested he might have been targeted by Epstein, questioning the financier's intentions. "Apparently, Jeffrey wrote an email to himself. That email was never sent. The email is false. I don't know what his thinking was there. Was he trying to attack me in some way?" he pondered during the interview.
Details of the Released Documents
The documents, made public by the US Department of Justice on January 30, contain over three million records pertaining to Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. It is important to note that Gates has not been accused of any wrongdoing by Epstein's victims, and his appearance in these files does not indicate criminal activity.
Content of the Draft Emails
The newly released batch includes two draft emails dated July 18, 2013, sent from Epstein's email account back to itself. These messages are unsigned, and no email account associated with Gates appears in the correspondence. One email is structured as a resignation letter from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, mentioning medicine allegedly obtained for Bill "to deal with the consequences of sex with Russian girls." Another draft claims Gates attempted to conceal a sexually transmitted disease from his then-wife, Melinda French Gates.
Gates' Firm Rejection of Claims
Gates has categorically denied these allegations, stating, "I never went to the island, I never met any women." He further explained, "And so, the more that comes out, the more clear it'll be that, although the time was a mistake, it had nothing to do with that kind of behavior."
Nature of Their Association
According to Gates, he first met Epstein in 2011, and their interactions were confined to dinners until 2014, primarily focused on philanthropic discussions. "The focus was always, he knew a lot of very rich people, and he was saying he could get them to give money to global health," Gates recalled. Reflecting on this period, he admitted, "In retrospect, that was a dead end. I was foolish to spend time with him. I was one of many people who regret ever knowing him."
Official Statement from Gates' Spokesperson
A spokesperson for Bill Gates reinforced these denials in a statement obtained by PEOPLE magazine. "These claims are absolutely absurd and completely false," the spokesperson declared. They added, "The only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein's frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame."
Melinda French Gates' Emotional Response
Melinda French Gates, who divorced Bill Gates in 2021 after 27 years of marriage, shared that these revelations have reopened painful memories. Speaking on NPR's Wild Card podcast, she expressed, "For me, it's personally hard whenever those details come up, right? Because it brings back memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage."
She further stated, "Whatever questions remain there of what I don't — can't even begin to know all of it — those questions are for those people and for even my ex-husband. They need to answer to those things, not me. And, I am so happy to be away from all the muck that was there."
Background on Epstein and Maxwell
Jeffrey Epstein was arrested in July 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges involving minors and was found dead a month later in a New York jail, with authorities ruling it an apparent suicide. His associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, continues to serve a 20-year sentence in a low-security prison for her role in Epstein's crimes.
