Bill Gates says Epstein wanted personal relationship, but he 'never reciprocated'
The Microsoft co-founder spent hours talking to lawmakers behind closed doors, where he also said Epstein used his marital infidelities to pressure him.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"While he may have sought to foster a personal relationship, I was never interested in that and never reciprocated."
— Bill Gates , Executive
"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."
— Bill Gates , Executive
"I made an error in judgment by ever meeting with Jeffrey Epstein."
— Bill Gates , Executive
"These affairs had nothing to do with my interactions with Epstein, but they were painful for my family."
— Bill Gates , Executive
"not terribly forthcoming or candid"
— Raja Krishnamoorthi , Politician
"a ticket to getting more money to his foundation."
— Suhas Subramanyam , Politician
"Hearings are supposed to be serious attempts at fact-finding."
— Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette , Other
"We need accountability for those in power and answers for survivors."
— Yassamin Ansari , Politician
"I want to know if Gates was one of them."
— Suhas Subramanyam , Politician
"I never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct."
— Bill Gates , Executive
"I should never have met with Epstein in the first place."
— Bill Gates , Executive
"He was unsuccessful in this effort, but it shows some of the ways he tried to leverage his interactions with me to further his agenda."
— Bill Gates , Executive
"Nunca presencié ni tuve indicio alguno de que Epstein estuviera involucrado en una conducta delictiva."
— Bill Gates , Executive
"Supe que Epstein había obtenido información confidencial sobre mi vida personal."
— Bill Gates , Executive
"Nunca he victimizado a nadie."
— Bill Gates , Executive
Key People
Bill Clinton is a former President of the United States.
Bill Gates is the co-founder of Microsoft and philanthropist through the Gates Foundation.
Former president of the United States known for his aggressive economic policies.
Interim Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs at Project on Government Oversight.
Convicted sex offender linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
Hillary Clinton is a former U.S. Secretary of State and presidential candidate.
Commerce secretary during Trump's administration.
Lawyer and former top investigative counsel to the House Ethics Committee.
Chairman of the House Oversight Committee.
Jeffrey Epstein was an American financier and convicted sex offender.
Former DOJ lawyer who assisted Gates with his committee appearance.
Raja Krishnamoorthi is a Democratic U.S. Representative from Illinois.
Robert Garcia is the lead Democrat on the congressional committee questioning Bill Gates.
Suhas Subramanyam is a Democratic member of the Virginia House of Delegates.
Tim Burchett is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee.
Democratic Representative advocating for accountability.
Tags
All Coverage
The Microsoft co-founder spent hours talking to lawmakers behind closed doors, where he also said Epstein used his marital infidelities to pressure him.
Bill Gates testified before the U.S. House Oversight Committee, stating that meeting Jeffrey Epstein was a 'grave error in judgment' and denying any knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities.
In a closed-door testimony, Bill Gates revealed that Jeffrey Epstein attempted to blackmail him using information about his past extramarital affairs.
Bill Gates has enlisted controversial lawyer Jake Greenberg to advise him ahead of a House Ethics Committee hearing regarding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Bill Gates testified that meeting Jeffrey Epstein was a 'grave error in judgment' and that Epstein attempted to use information about his personal life to pressure him.
Bill Gates expressed deep regret over his connection to Jeffrey Epstein during testimony to US politicians, denying any knowledge of Epstein's criminal conduct.
Bill Gates testified before the U.S. Congress that Jeffrey Epstein attempted to use information about his marital infidelities to pressure him.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
US prosecutors focus on four businesses tied to billionaire Mark Walter, WSJ reports - Reuters
US prosecutors focus on four businesses tied to billionaire Mark Walter, WSJ reports Reuters
August 17, 2026 at 06:27 PMTrump promised a sex-trafficking crackdown. His Justice Department hasn't delivered - Reuters
Trump promised a sex-trafficking crackdown. His Justice Department hasn't delivered Reuters
August 13, 2026 at 12:56 PMGoldman in talks with investors on Nvidia financing deal after landing prized role, sources say - Reuters
Goldman in talks with investors on Nvidia financing deal after landing prized role, sources say Reuters
August 14, 2026 at 04:04 AMMost Americans believe Trump has inappropriately profited since returning to power, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds - Reuters
Most Americans believe Trump has inappropriately profited since returning to power, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds Reuters
August 19, 2026 at 10:31 AMBBC seeks to subpoena Trump's family members in Panorama lawsuit
The BBC's lawyers argue Trump's family members "have personal knowledge" of his intentions in the speech he gave outside the US Capitol on 6 January 2021.
August 15, 2026 at 12:01 AMUK PM Burnham exchanged messages with White House imposter
Downing Street has declined to comment on the security breach, first reported by Politico.
August 17, 2026 at 11:20 AM