‘He Was an Ex-Con Who Could Get Me Billions’ [WATCH]

Bill Gates is once again explaining why he spent time with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, this time arguing that Epstein exploited his enthusiasm for philanthropy.

The billionaire Microsoft cofounder insists the relationship focused on charitable ambitions rather than social activity or women.

In an interview with The Atlantic published Thursday, Gates acknowledged that meeting Epstein reflected poor judgment.

His latest explanation presents Epstein as a manipulator who recognized that promises of massive donations to global health programs could quickly command Gates’s attention.

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“It just underscored how foolish I was not to have better judgment, even though my intent was philanthropic,” Gates said.

“There was never any social thing. I never went to the island,” Gates continued.

“I was never introduced to any women. But I’ve learned a lot from that.”

Gates said Epstein gained access by claiming he could convince wealthy associates to commit enormous amounts of money to international health causes.

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For a man whose public identity has become closely tied to global philanthropy, the pitch apparently proved difficult to ignore.

“He definitely had connections with billionaires, a lot of them. And, you know, in a sense, you could say he found my weak point,” Gates added.

“That by saying he could get tens of billions or 100 billions that would be donated to global health causes, that raised my interest.”

That explanation places Gates in the role of an overly trusting philanthropist who was dazzled by the possibility of unlocking fortunes for charitable work.

Still, Epstein was hardly an unknown figure whose criminal history had been hidden from public view.

Gates admitted that he knew about Epstein’s sex crime conviction before their meetings.

He said he believed Epstein had completed his punishment and that the justice system had handled the case, comparing the situation to charitable efforts intended to help former prisoners return to employment.

WATCH:

The timeline remains the stubborn part of the story.

Gates reportedly began meeting Epstein around 2011, years after Epstein was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor, meaning the disturbing facts surrounding Epstein were not merely revelations that surfaced after Gates had already entered his orbit.

The two reportedly met several times to discuss possible global health ventures.

Gates also visited Epstein’s Manhattan residence and traveled aboard his private jet, details that have continued to fuel questions about why one of the world’s most powerful businessmen maintained the association.

Gates has repeatedly denied participating in Epstein’s crimes or having any involvement with women connected to him.

He has also insisted that he never visited Epstein’s island, one of the locations most closely associated with the disgraced financier’s predatory operation.

More recently, Gates has said Epstein discovered information about his extramarital affairs and later attempted to use it as leverage against him.

That claim adds another troubling dimension to a relationship Gates now portrays as a costly lesson in judgment and access.

Epstein was known for cultivating prominent politicians, academics, financiers, and celebrities, often using the appearance of influence to obtain even more influence.

Gates now suggests that the promise of billions for public health served as Epstein’s chosen key to open the door.

The charitable explanation may clarify what attracted Gates to the discussions, but it does not erase the obvious warning signs surrounding Epstein.

Even billionaires with armies of advisers are expected to recognize that a convicted sex offender promising mountains of money deserves scrutiny, not repeated meetings.

Gates says he learned from the episode, and he continues to reject any suggestion that the relationship extended beyond proposed philanthropic projects.

The public, however, is left with the familiar spectacle of an elite figure explaining that Epstein somehow slipped past the judgment of everyone in the room.

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