Bill Gates testifies before US Congress on Jeffrey Epstein ties

Bill Gates appeared before a House committee of the United States Congress to address his past contacts with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. In a prepared statement, Gates said he never visited Epstein’s island, farm or Florida residence and denied any involvement in criminal activity. He acknowledged knowing Epstein and meeting him several times, but insisted the meetings were limited to philanthropic discussions.

Gates also told lawmakers that he did not fully understand the extent of Epstein’s crimes and that Epstein had attempted to blackmail him by using information about Gates’s extramarital affairs. The testimony is part of a broader congressional investigation into Epstein’s network and the handling of related Justice Department cases. The Gates Foundation has launched an external review of its interactions with Epstein following the disclosure of internal documents and emails.