Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder turned global philanthropist, is preparing to testify before the U.S. House Oversight Committee on 10 June about his interactions with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender whose scandals continue to reverberate through elite circles.
Lawmakers have confirmed Gates’ agreement to appear as part of a broader investigation into Epstein’s criminal activities.
While Gates has faced no accusations from Epstein’s victims, his name features in millions of documents released by the justice department earlier this year, shedding light on their communications and relationship. Vast troves of additional files remain under wraps, following legislation signed into law by President Trump last November that mandates fuller disclosure of Epstein probe materials.
Gates has previously addressed the matter candidly with staff at his charitable foundation, where he accepted responsibility for the association. “Bill spoke candidly, addressing several questions in detail,” the Gates Foundation said in a statement.
Reports from The Wall Street Journal indicate he apologised to employees, revealed Epstein’s awareness of two of his affairs with Russian women, and maintained, “I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit.”
In an Australian 9News interview, Gates described their encounters as limited to dinners, insisting he never visited Epstein’s private island. “Every minute I spent with him I regret and I apologise that I did that,” he said. A spokesperson added to the BBC that Gates was “looking forward to answering all the committee’s questions to support their important work” and had never attended Epstein’s parties or taken part in related illegalities.
“While Mr Gates acknowledges that meeting with Epstein was a serious error in judgment, he unequivocally denies any improper conduct related to Epstein and the horrible activities in which Epstein was involved,” the statement concluded.
The summons, issued on 3 March, comes amid a series of high-profile hearings, including testimonies from former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton in February, with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and ex-Attorney General Pam Bondi expected soon.
Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, had cultivated ties among powerful figures in tech, politics, and finance. Gates met him post-2008 conviction in hopes of philanthropy opportunities, though none materialised.