Bill Gates told congressional investigators that Jeffrey Epstein appeared to consider using information about his extramarital affairs as leverage, according to a newly released transcript from a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee.
The Microsoft co-founder testified before lawmakers on June 10 as part of the committee’s review of federal investigations into Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The transcript, released this week, adds new detail to Gates’s past relationship with Epstein, a connection Gates has repeatedly described as a serious mistake.
According to the transcript, Gates said he was not directly blackmailed. However, he told investigators that some of Epstein’s draft communications appeared to suggest that Epstein was thinking about using private information to pressure him. Gates described the conduct as involving “veiled” references and said Epstein’s thinking seemed to be moving in the direction of blackmail, even though Gates said no explicit blackmail message was sent to him.
The distinction is important. Gates did not say that Epstein successfully blackmailed him. Instead, he said Epstein appeared to be exploring ways to use sensitive personal information, including Gates’s affairs, to keep Gates engaged or influence his decisions. Gates also said some of the material discussed in the emails contained a mix of true and false information.
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The testimony comes years after Gates faced public scrutiny over his meetings with Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. Gates has said his relationship with Epstein began in 2011, after Epstein had already pleaded guilty in Florida to offenses involving minors. Gates told investigators that he knew Epstein had a prior conviction of a sexual nature, but said he did not fully understand the details at the time and later regretted the association.
Gates has said his interactions with Epstein were tied to philanthropy, particularly the possibility that Epstein could help connect wealthy donors to global health initiatives. Gates told lawmakers that Epstein presented himself as someone with access to major donors, but those efforts did not produce the large-scale funding Gates had hoped for.
In his prepared remarks to the committee, Gates said meeting Epstein was a “grave error in judgment” and that any credibility Epstein gained from being associated with him was something he deeply regretted. Gates also denied witnessing criminal conduct by Epstein and said he had never victimized anyone.
The newly released transcript does not accuse Gates of criminal wrongdoing. It also does not prove that Epstein carried out a blackmail attempt. But it gives lawmakers and the public a clearer picture of how Epstein may have used personal access, private information and elite connections to maintain influence around powerful people.
That issue remains central to the broader Epstein inquiry. For years, the public debate has focused not only on Epstein’s crimes, but also on how he remained connected to wealthy and influential figures after his earlier conviction. Gates’s testimony highlights one of the more troubling questions surrounding Epstein’s network: whether he used personal secrets, reputational risk or implied threats to keep prominent people close.
For ordinary readers, the story is not just about one billionaire’s private life. It also raises broader concerns about transparency, accountability and the way influence can operate behind closed doors. When powerful individuals interact with convicted offenders, the public often expects clearer explanations about why those relationships continued and whether institutions failed to ask enough questions at the time.
What Remains Unclear
It remains unclear exactly how much Epstein intended to use the information he had gathered, whether anyone else saw or acted on the draft communications, and how far Epstein’s alleged pressure campaign went. Gates has said he was not successfully blackmailed and that the most explicit messages were not sent to him.
The transcript also leaves open broader questions about Epstein’s relationships with other high-profile figures and whether similar tactics were used elsewhere. The committee’s review may continue to bring more testimony and documents into public view.
Why It Matters
The testimony matters because it adds detail to the public record about Epstein’s relationships with powerful figures after his prior conviction. Gates’s account suggests that Epstein may have used private information and reputational pressure as tools of influence, even when no direct blackmail was completed.
The issue also matters for public trust. When major philanthropists, business leaders or political figures interact with someone like Epstein, the public wants to know what was known, what warnings were ignored and whether personal or institutional judgment failed.
What Comes Next
Lawmakers are expected to continue reviewing Epstein-related records and testimony as part of their broader investigation. Additional documents could clarify how Epstein communicated with associates, what role personal information played in his relationships, and whether other public figures faced similar pressure.
For Gates, the transcript is likely to renew scrutiny of a relationship he has already called a major mistake. For the public, the larger question remains how Epstein was able to maintain access to elite circles for years despite his criminal history.
A news segment summarized the newly released House Oversight transcript and Gates’s comments about Epstein’s alleged pressure tactics.
The transcript of Bill Gates’ House Oversight Committee testimony was released, with Gates telling lawmakers he believed the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was preparing to blackmail him over his extramarital affairs.
ABC News’ Aaron Katersky reports.… pic.twitter.com/VDajd67lBV
— ABC News (@ABC) June 24, 2026
