Bill Gates testified behind closed doors before the U.S. House Oversight Committee on June 10, telling lawmakers he never witnessed or had any indication that Jeffrey Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct and that Epstein attempted to use knowledge of his extramarital affairs to pressure him into maintaining contact [1][2][3]. "I never went to his island, his ranch, or his Florida home. I have never victimized anyone," Gates stated in prepared remarks released alongside the hearing [7]. The testimony marked the highest-profile appearance in the committee's ongoing investigation into the Department of Justice's handling of the Epstein case.
Gates described meeting Epstein approximately five times between 2011 and 2014 (one source places the meetings between 2011 and 2012 [18]), stating that the encounters were driven by his pursuit of wealthy donors for global health initiatives through the Gates Foundation [3]. He told the committee that Epstein "inserted himself" into an employee's resignation process and subsequently obtained sensitive personal information [3]. "As the public can now see, based on what has been released in the files, 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 stated [7][8]. He admitted to affairs with three women, including two Russian nationals and a doctor, according to one report [9], and acknowledged that his then-wife Melinda had expressed concerns about Epstein as early as 2013, yet he continued the relationship for at least another year, according to the same report [9].
Gates framed the association as a failure of personal judgment tied to philanthropic ambition. "I allowed that goal to override my better judgment," he told the committee, adding: "If the time I spent with Epstein lent him any credibility, I am deeply sorry" [1][7]. According to El Financiero's report of his testimony (translated from Spanish), Gates stated: "Now I understand that he tried to build an image of legitimacy, using his connections with influential and reputable people to deflect attention" — part of a longer statement in which Gates also expressed deep regret for any credibility his association conferred on Epstein [4].
Lawmaker reactions diverged along multiple lines. Committee chair James Comer stated that no one was accusing Gates of wrongdoing and framed the investigation as centered on survivors and government failures: "This is about the survivors. This is about trying to figure out how the government failed" [3][6]. Republican committee member Tim Burchett described Epstein as a "friend collector" who deliberately surrounded himself with prominent figures to project influence, and characterized the questioning as "intense" [2][6].
Democratic lawmakers offered a range of assessments. Robert Garcia said Gates "was aware that Jeffrey Epstein could be convicted for a horrific crime, and continued to interact with him to seek money for his foundation," calling it "a horrific judgment call" [2][6] and stating Gates "must atone" [4]. Suhas Subramanyam told reporters that "it appears that Gates knew what he was getting into with Epstein, but still went forward anyway with the idea that it could help his global health initiatives" [7]. Emily Randall stated that "many of the men who engaged with Jeffrey Epstein only saw what they wanted to see in their interactions" [2]. Stephen Lynch said the committee "continually press him on the point that his relationship, his multiyear relationship with Jeffrey Epstein began after Mr Epstein was already a registered sex offender and had been convicted" [7].
Assessments of Gates's transparency during the session itself were contradictory. Raja Krishnamoorthi described Gates as "combative" and "not terribly forthcoming or candid" [6]. Maxwell Frost, by contrast, called Gates "very forthright" and "very prepared," and said the deposition was more productive than a prior session with former Attorney General Pam Bondi [7]. Robert Garcia stated that "so far, Mr Gates has been cooperative in answering our questions" and that Gates had provided information about other individuals in Epstein's orbit [7].
The investigation's political dynamics drew separate criticism from both parties. Comer accused Democrats of being "nothing but dead weight in this investigation" [1]. Democrats, including Garcia, insisted that depositions be conducted under oath, videotaped, and released to the public, and criticized the committee for excluding President Trump from its witness list [1][5]. El País reported that Gates's lawyers blocked questions about affairs unrelated to the Epstein case [5].
The committee's questioning was expected to address specific documents from the DOJ's Epstein file release, including a 2013 draft email attributed to Epstein that described procuring drugs and antibiotics for Gates — allegations a Gates spokesperson called "absolutely absurd and totally false" [4][19]. BBC reported that unverified draft emails in the files alleged Epstein facilitated affairs and procured drugs for Gates [2].
Epstein survivor Annie Farmer stated that the public does not fully grasp the depth and duration of the Gates-Epstein connection and that it is reasonable for Gates to face detailed questioning [10]. Attorneys representing a group of 20 Epstein sex-trafficking survivors separately criticized the government's handling of Epstein files, arguing the process has protected powerful individuals while re-traumatizing victims by revealing their identities [12].
The Epstein association has had material consequences for the Gates Foundation. Multiple outlets reported that the revelations contributed to Gates's divorce, damaged the foundation's reputation, and prompted an external review of its engagement with Epstein [11][15]. The foundation has also accelerated its dissolution timeline amid the scrutiny [4][21].
The committee has announced plans to call additional witnesses, including Alan Dershowitz and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche [3][1].