Bill Gates Acknowledges ‘Huge Mistake’ in Ties with Jeffrey Epstein
Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates has publicly admitted that his association with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was a serious error in judgment. Speaking during a town hall meeting at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gates addressed employees directly, taking responsibility for his decisions and offering an apology for the fallout.
Apology Delivered at Foundation Town Hall
According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, which cited recordings of the internal meeting, Gates told staff that spending time with Epstein—and even involving foundation officials in those meetings—was a poor choice. “I apologize to anyone who was dragged into this because of my mistake,” Gates was quoted as saying during the session. The foundation’s spokesperson later confirmed the remarks, noting that Gates spoke candidly and accepted full accountability for his actions.
Justice Department Documents Reveal New Details
The renewed scrutiny comes after the U.S. Department of Justice released documents showing that Gates and Epstein continued to meet on multiple occasions—even after Epstein had completed his sentence for sex crimes. Those meetings reportedly centered on discussions about expanding Gates’ philanthropic initiatives.
In the same town hall, Gates acknowledged that he had relationships with two Russian women, a fact that Epstein later learned. However, Gates was careful to clarify that these personal matters were entirely unrelated to Epstein’s victims. “I did not engage in any illegal activity, nor did I witness anything illegal,” Gates told employees.
Clarification on Photographs
The Justice Department files also included photographs showing Gates in the company of women, though their faces were blurred in the released images. Addressing these photos, Gates explained that they were taken at Epstein’s request after meetings with Epstein’s female assistants. He emphasized, “I never spent time with any of Epstein’s victims.”
Foundation Issues Official Statement
A spokesperson for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation stated that the town hall had been scheduled in advance as a routine event. During the session, Gates answered questions on a range of topics, including the release of the Epstein files. The spokesperson reiterated that Gates spoke openly and took responsibility for his choices. The foundation confirmed that this statement remains its official position and declined to offer further commentary.
Earlier this month, the foundation had already clarified that it never made any financial payments to Epstein nor appointed him to any role within the organization.
Gates Withdraws from AI Summit in India
Separately, Gates abruptly canceled his scheduled keynote address at the AI Impact Summit in India last week, just hours before he was set to speak. While no official link was drawn between that decision and the Epstein controversy, the timing drew attention.
About the Gates Foundation
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation remains one of the world’s largest philanthropic organizations. It was established in 2000 by Bill Gates and his then-wife, Melinda French Gates. Since Melinda stepped down as co-chair in 2024, Bill Gates has been the sole leader of the foundation.
Looking ahead, Gates has announced plans to permanently close the foundation on December 31, 2045. For 2026, the foundation has allocated a $9 billion budget for charitable spending, with a projected $200 billion earmarked over the following two decades. During this period, Gates intends to reduce the foundation’s workforce while providing compensation to affected employees.
