Bill Gates to Testify Before House Panel in Jeffrey Epstein Investigation
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates appeared before the House Oversight Committee on June 10, 2026, for a nearly six-hour closed-door transcribed interview about his relationship with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The committee requested Gates's testimony after Justice Department documents released as part of the Epstein investigation mentioned his name thousands of times, including calendar entries, emails, and photos showing him with Epstein. Gates denied any knowledge of or participation in Epstein's crimes, called their association a 'grave error in judgment,' and revealed that Epstein had tried to use knowledge of his extramarital affairs as leverage to maintain their relationship.
Bill Gates voluntarily appeared before the House Oversight Committee on June 10, 2026, becoming one of the highest-profile witnesses in the panel's ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and the government's handling of his case. In his opening statement, which he posted publicly, Gates stated he 'never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct,' denied visiting Epstein's island, ranch, or Florida home, and declared he had 'never victimized anyone.' Gates said he was introduced to Epstein in 2011 through trusted professional contacts after Epstein claimed he could raise billions for global health initiatives, and acknowledged he was aware of Epstein's prior legal issues but 'did not fully understand the extent of the crimes he committed.' Their interactions, which included meetings in New York, Washington, France, and Germany, ended in December 2014 after Gates concluded Epstein could not deliver on his philanthropic promises. Gates also disclosed that Epstein had learned of his extramarital affairs and attempted to use that information 'in addition to many lies' as leverage to pressure Gates into re-engaging — an effort Gates said was unsuccessful. Democratic lawmakers described Gates as largely cooperative but noted he admitted he knew Epstein was a registered sex offender when their relationship began and continued associating with him anyway to access wealthy donors, with Rep. Melanie Stansbury saying Gates testified he viewed the 'narrow relationship as being an acceptable means to access wealthy donors.' Republican Rep. Tim Burchett said Gates appeared 'well-coached' and revealed little, while Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi described him as 'a little combative' and 'not as candid and forthcoming as he can be,' though Rep. Robert Garcia said Gates was ultimately answering questions. The interview was not videotaped, though a transcript is expected to be released publicly.
What's missing
The contents of the external review commissioned by the Gates Foundation into its past engagement with Epstein have not been made public, and its findings could materially affect the overall picture of the foundation's institutional relationship with Epstein.
How coverage differed
Right-leaning outlets such as Fox News and the Daily Wire focused more heavily on Gates's admission that Epstein tried to use his infidelities as leverage and on his acknowledgment of knowing about Epstein's conviction, while left-leaning outlets like NPR and The Guardian gave more prominence to survivor perspectives and the broader political context, including Democratic calls for Trump to testify. The New York Post used notably charged language, describing Gates as 'smirking' upon arrival, framing the story in a more adversarial tone absent from centrist and left-leaning coverage.
What different sources said
- Times of IsraelCenter
Testifying before US Congress on Epstein, Bill Gates says he ‘never victimized anyone’
- CBS NewsCenter
House member describes Bill Gates' Epstein testimony
- South China Morning PostCenter
Bill Gates tells Epstein hearing he ‘never victimised anyone’
- NewsweekCenter
Bill Gates Epstein Testimony: Read Microsoft Founder's Opening Statement
Bill Gates Says Epstein Tried To Use His Extramarital Affairs Against Him
- Sky News USCenter
Bill Gates says Jeffrey Epstein tried to use information about his private life as 'leverage'
- Times of IndiaCenter
Should not have met Epstein, never knew he was engaged in criminal conduct: Gates to lawmakers
- Deutsche WelleCenter
Bill Gates tells Epstein panel he 'never victimized anyone'
- Al JazeeraLeft
Bill Gates testifies in closed-door US House meeting over Epstein ties
- The Straits TimesCenter
Bill Gates testifies Epstein pressured him using knowledge of his extramarital affairs
- ForbesCenter
Gates Recalls Seeing Epstein Relationship As ‘Acceptable’ Despite 2008 Conviction, Democrats Say (Live Updates)
- ABC AustraliaCenter
Bill Gates 'deeply sorry' for Epstein ties in testimony to US politicians
- NDTVCenter
"Never Victimised Anyone, Error In Judgement": Bill Gates On Epstein Links
- NBC NewsLeft
Bill Gates questioned about ties to Epstein by House committee
Bill Gates tells US House ‘I have never victimized anyone’ in Epstein testimony
- PBS NewsHourLeft
News Wrap: Bill Gates says he made 'grave error' by meeting with Epstein
- ABC NewsCenter
Bill Gates to testify in congressional panel's Jeffrey Epstein investigation
- BBC Top StoriesCenter
What we learned from Bill Gates' deposition on Epstein
- FortuneCenter
Gates testifies on Epstein: previous Fortune investigation reveals payments to his ex-girlfriend, $1M Microsoft deal
- NBC PoliticsLeft
Bill Gates Accuses Jeffrey Epstein of Potential Blackmail at Hearing
- Sydney Morning HeraldCenter
Bill Gates hires big guns to help prepare for Epstein grilling: report
- AP NewsCenter
Bill Gates is set to testify in congressional panel’s Jeffrey Epstein investigation
- Washington TimesRight
Bill Gates will testify in a congressional panel's Jeffrey Epstein investigation
- Channel NewsAsiaCenter
Bill Gates faces questioning in US Congress over Epstein ties
- The Japan TimesCenter
Bill Gates faces questioning in U.S. Congress over Epstein ties
- The HinduCenter
Bill Gates faces questioning in U.S. Congress over Epstein ties
- The IndependentLeft
Bill Gates continued meeting with Jeffrey Epstein years after the financier’s sex-crime conviction and now Congress wants answers
- CNBCCenter
Bill Gates to face questions about Jeffrey Epstein from House Oversight panel
- NPR NewsLeft
Bill Gates to appear before Congress over Epstein involvement
- Fox NewsRight
Bill Gates faces House investigators over Jeffrey Epstein ties
- New York PostRight
Smirking Bill Gates arrives on Capitol Hill as he faces reckoning in Jeffrey Epstein probe
- BreitbartFar Right
Bill Gates to Face U.S. Congress Questioning over Epstein Links
- UPICenter
Bill Gates to testify before House on friendship with Jeffrey Epstein
- The HillCenter
Bill Gates in Epstein probe interview: ‘I have never victimized anyone’
- Business InsiderLeft
Bill Gates testifies that Epstein meetings were a 'grave error' that put his work 'at risk'
- Daily WireRight
‘Combative’ Bill Gates Makes Admission About Meeting With Epstein
- Washington ExaminerRight
Bill Gates says Jeffrey Epstein tried to use extramarital affairs as ‘leverage’
- France 24Center
Bill Gates calls Epstein meetings a ‘grave error’ while defending actions in house testimony
- BBCCenter
Bill Gates says Epstein wanted a personal relationship but he 'never reciprocated'
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