Bill Gates told the U.S. Congress on Wednesday that Jeffrey Epstein attempted to blackmail him by threatening to reveal past personal affairs [1].

The testimony provides a rare public account of the leverage Epstein sought to maintain over high-profile figures. By detailing these threats, Gates highlights the predatory nature of Epstein's relationships with the global elite.

During the hearing on June 10, 2026 [1], Gates described how the convicted sex offender used private information as a weapon. "Epstein tried to blackmail me over my past affairs," Gates said [2].

Gates said that Epstein sought to exploit secrets regarding his marriage for personal gain. "I was approached by Epstein who wanted to leverage my marriage secrets for his own benefit," Gates said [3].

The testimony detailed a pattern of coercion used by Epstein to ensure compliance from his associates. "He threatened to expose my personal life unless I complied with his demands," Gates said [1].

These revelations occurred during a formal session in Washington, D.C., where Gates addressed the nature of his previous associations [4]. The testimony focuses on the specific methods Epstein used to create dependency and fear through the threat of public exposure.

Throughout the proceedings, Gates said that the attempts at blackmail were centered on his private life and marital history. He provided these details to the congressional committee to clarify the dynamics of his interactions with Epstein [1].

“"Epstein tried to blackmail me over my past affairs."”

This testimony adds to the documented history of Jeffrey Epstein's use of 'kompromat' or compromising material to manipulate powerful individuals. By testifying under oath before Congress, Gates is placing these allegations into the official government record, potentially providing a roadmap for investigators to understand how Epstein operated his network of influence and coercion.