Bill Gates says Epstein wanted personal relationship, but he 'never reciprocated'

June 10, 2026

Billionaire Bill Gates testified before a House Oversight Committee investigating Jeffrey Epstein, asserting he never had a personal relationship with the convicted sex offender and only interacted with him regarding potential fundraising for his philanthropic foundation. Gates revealed that Epstein attempted to use knowledge of Gates's marital infidelities to pressure him into maintaining contact, though Gates denied all claims of wrongdoing or awareness of Epstein's criminal activities. The testimony came after Justice Department documents showed Gates's name mentioned thousands of times in materials related to Epstein's criminal investigation, though Gates maintains he cut ties in 2014 when promised fundraising failed to materialize.

Who is affected

Bill Gates (testified about his interactions with Epstein)
Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes
Melinda Gates (Gates's then-wife, mentioned in disputed allegations)
House Oversight Committee members (conducting the investigation)
Other powerful figures questioned by the committee: former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick
Ghislaine Maxwell (Epstein's associate, serving 20-year prison term)
Individuals whose names Gates provided to the committee as potential donors Epstein gathered

What action is being taken

The House Oversight Committee is conducting a bipartisan investigation into Jeffrey Epstein
The committee is questioning powerful figures who had associations with Epstein
Gates is testifying voluntarily before the committee in a closed-door hearing

Why it matters

This investigation matters because it seeks to understand how Epstein leveraged relationships with powerful and influential figures to project power and maintain his network despite his criminal conviction. The testimony reveals how Epstein allegedly manipulated individuals through knowledge of personal information and used his connections to prominent people for legitimacy. For survivors of Epstein's crimes, the investigation represents an ongoing effort to achieve justice and understand the full scope of Epstein's activities and enablers. The case also raises important questions about due diligence and accountability among elite figures who associated with known criminals.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC