Bill Gates Denies Epstein Claims Amid New File Revelations

On February 4, 2026, the world’s attention once again turned to Bill Gates, the billionaire philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder, as new documents surfaced linking him to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The revelations, stemming from a batch of files released by the U.S. Justice Department, included draft emails and notes found in Epstein’s email account. These documents suggested, among other things, that Gates had used Epstein to arrange sexual encounters with women and had contracted a sexually transmitted infection. Gates has categorically denied all such accusations, calling them “false” and “never sent,” but the shadow cast by his association with Epstein continues to loom large.

According to 9News, Gates addressed the matter directly in an exclusive interview with Chief Political Editor Charles Croucher. “Apparently, Jeffrey wrote an email to himself. That email was never sent. The email is false,” Gates said, his tone measured but firm. “I don’t know what his thinking was there. Was he trying to attack me in some way?” Gates went on to express deep regret over his interactions with Epstein, stating, “Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologise that I did that.”

The newly released files include a series of emails from Epstein, both addressed to Gates and to himself. In some, Epstein claimed he had helped Gates acquire drugs to “deal with consequences of sex with Russian girls” and to facilitate trysts with married women. Another note, dated July 2013, alleged that Gates had asked Epstein to delete emails about a sexually transmitted infection and to obtain antibiotics to “surreptitiously give to Melinda.” It remains unclear whether these emails were ever actually sent to Gates, or if they were simply drafts or personal notes Epstein wrote to himself.

Melinda French Gates, philanthropist and Gates’ former wife, spoke about the latest revelations on NPR’s “Wild Card” podcast, a portion of which was published on Tuesday. She described the news as a painful reminder of difficult times in her marriage. “The allegations reminded me of very, very painful times in my marriage,” she said, adding that Gates was just one of many high-profile individuals with lingering questions to answer regarding their connections to Epstein. French Gates’s response, as reported by NPR, was one of “unbelievable sadness.”

Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, was notorious for cultivating relationships with powerful figures across business, politics, and academia. Gates met Epstein in 2011, a period during which he attended several dinners with him over the span of three years. Gates has consistently maintained that the meetings were centered on philanthropy. “The focus was always, he knew a lot of very rich people, and he was saying he could get them to give money to global health. In retrospect, that was a dead end,” Gates told 9News. “I was foolish to spend time with him. I was one of many people who regret ever knowing him.”

The association between Gates and Epstein has been the subject of scrutiny for years, especially given Epstein’s criminal history and the high-profile nature of his connections. Gates has repeatedly insisted that he never visited Epstein’s infamous private island, never attended parties with him, and had no involvement in any illegal activities associated with Epstein. In a statement released by his representative on February 4, 2026, Gates “unequivocally denies any improper conduct related to Epstein and the horrible activities in which Epstein was involved.” The statement further acknowledged that meeting Epstein was a “serious error in judgment.”

Despite the denials, the newly surfaced documents have reignited public debate and speculation. The emails, while unverified and possibly never sent, have prompted questions about the extent of Gates’s relationship with Epstein and the veracity of Epstein’s claims. The Justice Department’s release of these files has not only placed Gates back in the headlines but also reopened wounds for Melinda French Gates and others affected by the scandal.

For Gates, the fallout from these revelations comes at a time when he is focused on his philanthropic legacy. Having amassed his fortune after co-founding Microsoft in 1975, Gates has pledged to spend the entire endowment of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation—about $200 billion—on eradicating diseases and reducing poverty by 2045. “I hope when people read about Malaria in the future, I hope they’ll say what was that? The same with polio,” Gates told 9News, emphasizing his commitment to global health initiatives.

During the same interview, Gates also spoke about the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence and the need for better digital protections for children. “I think it’s up to people in the field to say to society at large, this could really be disruptive,” he remarked, referring to the transformative impact of AI. On the topic of children’s safety online, Gates observed, “We overprotect kids in the real world; we don’t let them go out and do things. But we underprotect them in the digital world.” His comments reflect a growing concern among parents, educators, and policymakers about the risks children face in an increasingly connected world.

The timing of the Justice Department’s file release and the ensuing media coverage has inevitably led to renewed scrutiny of Gates’s personal life and professional judgment. Critics argue that, as one of the most influential figures in technology and philanthropy, Gates should have exercised greater caution in his associations. Supporters, meanwhile, point to his decades-long record of charitable work and public service, urging the public not to conflate unsubstantiated claims with proven wrongdoing.

The broader context of the Epstein scandal continues to reverberate through the corridors of power and influence. Many high-profile individuals have faced uncomfortable questions about their ties to Epstein, and the slow trickle of new documents ensures that the controversy remains firmly in the public eye. For Bill Gates, the challenge is not only to defend his reputation but also to maintain focus on his philanthropic mission in the face of persistent rumors and allegations.

As the dust settles from the latest round of disclosures, one thing remains clear: the legacy of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes, and the network of relationships he forged, continues to haunt those who crossed his path—willingly or otherwise. For Gates, the hope is that his work in global health and technology will ultimately define his legacy, rather than his ill-fated association with one of the most notorious figures of the 21st century.