Bill Gates took accountability for his association with Jeffrey Epstein during a recent meeting with employees of the Gates Foundation, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the philanthropic organization. The acknowledgment followed a report by the Wall Street Journal revealing Gates’ apology to staff regarding his connections with Epstein.
Records from the U.S. Department of Justice revealed multiple meetings between Gates and Epstein post the latter’s prison release to discuss expanding Gates’ charitable endeavors. Gates reportedly admitted during the meeting that engaging with Epstein and involving Gates Foundation executives in meetings with the convicted sex offender was a significant error. He expressed regret to those inadvertently involved due to his misjudgment.
The Microsoft founder also disclosed having had two non-illicit relationships with Russian women that Epstein later became aware of, emphasizing that these interactions did not include Epstein’s victims. Gates clarified that his interactions with Epstein were strictly focused on philanthropic matters and conceded it was a misstep to engage with him.
Regarding pictures of Gates alongside redacted female individuals in DOJ documents, Gates explained they were taken at Epstein’s request with his assistants following their discussions. Gates reiterated that he never spent time with Epstein’s victims and distanced himself from any inappropriate activities associated with Epstein.
The Gates Foundation spokesperson stated that Gates openly addressed various inquiries during the town hall meeting, taking responsibility for his actions. The foundation emphasized that the information shared by Gates during the meeting represents their official statement on the matter.
Furthermore, the Gates Foundation reiterated that they had no financial dealings with Epstein and did not employ him at any point. Bill Gates recently withdrew from India’s AI Impact Summit shortly before his scheduled keynote address. Established in 2000 by Bill Gates and his then-wife, the Gates Foundation remains a prominent contributor to global health initiatives worldwide.