Full Breakdown
Bill Gates Testifies on Jeffrey Epstein Ties, Says Blackmail Was Considered
6/25/2026, 2:55:43 PM
Core Testimony
On June 10 2026, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates appeared before the House Oversight Committee and said he believed Jeffrey Epstein “contemplated blackmailing” him over three extramarital affairs. Gates emphasized that no blackmail was ever carried out, but that draft emails from 2013 suggested Epstein was “brainstorming” ways to leverage the information.
Background & Timeline
Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to Florida state charges that required him to register as a sex offender. The 2025 Epstein Transparency Act compelled the Justice Department to release millions of pages of files, including drafts that referenced Gates. Gates met Epstein in 2011 through his longtime adviser Dr. Boris Nikolic and maintained contact through 2014. Meetings occurred at Epstein’s New York and Paris residences, the Four Seasons in New York, a D.C. airport lounge, a private jet, and Gates’s Seattle offices. In 2013 Epstein drafted self-addressed emails containing false claims about Gates facilitating sexual encounters and having an STD. Gates cut ties in December 2014 after concluding Epstein would not deliver promised donor introductions.
Data & Statistics
- 12-14 in-person meetings plus two Skype calls (2011-2014)
- 3 affairs disclosed (Mila Antonova, Karima Nigmatulina, Alice Jacobs Nesselrodt)
- 2 draft emails from 2013 cited by Gates
- Over 1,000 communications linking Gates to Epstein identified in the DOJ release
Official Statements & Responses
Gates told lawmakers he was “aware that [Epstein] had a criminal conviction of a sexual nature” and that he “probably should have dug into the specifics.” He added that he “support[ed] the release of all the files” and hoped his testimony would aid “justice for the victims.” The committee chair, Rep. James Comer, described the hearing as part of a broader effort to understand Epstein’s network. A Gates Foundation spokesperson reiterated that Gates “has never been accused of wrongdoing related to Epstein” and that the foundation is conducting an external review of past interactions.
Criticism & Opposition
Democratic members, including Rep. Emily Randall and Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, questioned Gates’s judgment, noting that “many men who engaged with Epstein only saw what they wanted to see.” Rep. Robert Garcia highlighted that Epstein’s employees were themselves abused, making it “difficult for Gates to rule out that he was never around any of those victims.”
On-the-Ground Reports
Lesley Groff, Epstein’s longtime secretary, testified that she “never witnessed anything illegal during my 18 years working for him,” echoing the committee’s earlier finding that she lacked knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Gates said he knew Epstein was a registered sex offender, yet later testified he did not know the specifics of the conviction. Sources differ on the total number of meetings—some cite “about five” while Gates cites “12-14.” The authenticity of the 2013 draft emails remains unverified, and the committee has not released the full set of communications linking Gates to Epstein.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He never blackmailed me, but looking at these emails, it raises a serious probability that he contemplated blackmailing me,” — Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder
- “Gates said he knew Epstein had a criminal conviction “of a sexual nature,” but said he “probably should have” looked more closely at the details.” — Bill Gates
- “Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo "I have never victimized anyone.” — Bill Gates
- “But I never had an STD.” — Bill Gates
- “Groff told lawmakers she never witnessed anything illegal during her 18 years working for him.” — Lesley Groff, former Epstein assistant
Why It Matters
The testimony links a leading global philanthropist to a convicted sex offender, raising questions about due-diligence practices within mega-philanthropy and the potential reputational impact on the Gates Foundation’s health initiatives worldwide.
What’s Next
The Oversight Committee will interview additional witnesses, and the Gates Foundation’s external review will assess any policy changes needed to prevent similar associations in the future.
