Bill Gates says he regrets “every minute” he spent with Jeffrey Epstein, calling his past interactions with the disgraced financier a mistake as fresh attention lands on Epstein-related documents released by U.S. authorities.
In an interview aired this week, the Microsoft co-founder pushed back on allegations tied to email drafts found in Epstein’s account, saying one of the most incendiary messages “was never sent” and was “false.” Gates also suggested Epstein may have written drafts to himself and questioned Epstein’s motives, framing the material as an attempt to smear or pressure him.
What triggered the renewed scrutiny
The latest round of coverage follows a new batch of Epstein investigation records released by the U.S. Department of Justice, which included references to Gates and draft emails attributed to Epstein. Those documents reignited questions about why Gates met Epstein after Epstein’s 2008 conviction and what, if anything, came from the relationship.
Gates acknowledged the meetings and said he regrets them, adding that spending time with Epstein was an error in judgment—even as he denied wrongdoing and rejected claims embedded in the draft messages.
Gates’ main defense
Gates’ response has centered on two points:
- The most damaging email content is not reliable. Gates said the draft email cited in coverage “was never sent” and is “false,” disputing the premise that it reflects real events or statements by him. (Moneycontrol)
- He views the association as a reputational mistake. Even while denying misconduct, Gates said he regrets every minute spent with Epstein, apologizing for the time he gave him and the credibility it may have lent. (Sky News)
Why this matters now
The Gates–Epstein connection has long drawn attention because it sits at the intersection of philanthropy, elite networks, and Epstein’s history of exploitation. With newly released records, the story has shifted from “Why did they meet?” back to “What exactly happened—and who knew what, when?”
So far, Gates is drawing a firm line: regret for the association, denial of the allegations.
