Bill Gates knew Jeffrey Epstein was a convicted sex offender. He met with him anyway — for years. On Wednesday, he had to explain that to Congress.
The 70-year-old Microsoft co-founder appeared before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee for a closed-door, transcribed interview. The session lasted nearly six hours.
‘I guess if you’re a big deal, you can do more than the rest of us.’
On his way in, Gates told reporters he was “glad to be here voluntarily.” He retained Jake Greenberg, who until December was the Oversight Committee’s chief investigations counsel. Mid-session, Greenberg reportedly said Gates would not answer questions about his affairs unless directly tied to Epstein.
The paper trail complicates the “voluntary” part.
In February, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) formally asked Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) to subpoena Gates and compel him to testify under oath.
Comer sent Gates a formal written request in March stating the committee believed he had “information that will assist in its investigation.” Before the session on Wednesday, Comer told reporters, “No one’s accusing Bill Gates of any wrongdoing.”
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In his prepared opening statement, Gates expressed regret but denied having extensive knowledge about Epstein’s criminal behavior.
“I recall being aware that Epstein had faced prior legal issues, but I did not fully understand the extent of the crimes he committed,” he admitted. “I accepted the introduction without applying the scrutiny I should have.”
He also denied ever visiting Epstein’s island, ranch, or Florida home.
Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from a minor and served jail time as a registered sex offender. Gates claimed he began meeting with Epstein in 2011 over a pitch to unlock billions in global health donations.
By December 2014, Gates said he had cut off contact, concluding Epstein “would never deliver on his promises.”
Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) said she directly asked Gates why he continued to associate with a registered sex offender. Gates told her that “getting billions of dollars for global health was worth it,” she said.
After Gates allegedly cut ties in 2014, a departing employee engaged Epstein to negotiate the “separation” — Epstein, Gates claimed, used that channel to learn of his infidelities and pressure him to re-engage.
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Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) called the questioning “intense” but said Gates was “well coached” and that he didn’t expect much new information to surface.
Burchett also broke with GOP leadership over the closed-door format: “I’m big about transparency. … Let it be wide open.” He added, “I guess if you’re a big deal, you can do more than the rest of us.”
Gates closed his opening statement to Congress with a conditional apology: “If the time I spent with Epstein lent him any credibility, I am deeply sorry.”
He left without answering a single question from reporters.
Democrats have repeatedly called for Trump to testify — a push Republicans have so far blocked. But the White House may not be able to stay out of it much longer.
Per Stansbury, Republicans have agreed to call acting Attorney General Todd Blanche — Trump’s former lawyer — to testify about White House Epstein strategy sessions.
Comer also announced plans for a transcribed interview with Alan Dershowitz, who negotiated Epstein’s 2008 plea deal.
A full transcript is expected in the coming days.
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