Bill Gates testifies before US House committee on Epstein abuse scandal

Microsoft co‑founder Bill Gates appeared before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee’s Epstein oversight panel in Washington, stating that his testimony is intended to assist the panel’s work toward "justice for the victims." He said he regrets ever meeting the late financier and asserted that he never witnessed any criminal behaviour by Epstein.

Gates claimed that Epstein attempted to blackmail him by exploiting information about Gates’s extramarital affairs, saying, "Epstein tried to use information about my infidelity… to pressure me to work with him again." He denied any involvement in Epstein’s abuse network and emphasized that there are no accusations of misconduct against him.

Committee chair Rep. James Comer questioned Gates about what he saw and knew regarding Epstein’s activities, while noting that no wrongdoing has been alleged against Gates. The hearing follows earlier testimonies from former President Bill Clinton and his wife, who also addressed their contacts with Epstein.

Gates’s statements aim to clarify his past interactions with Epstein, acknowledge his mistake in meeting the financier, and support the congressional effort to investigate the broader abuse scandal.