Bill Gates testified in a closed-door interview before the U.S. House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 [1], regarding his past association with Jeffrey Epstein.
The testimony is part of a congressional effort to determine if the Microsoft co-founder provided the convicted sex offender with undue credibility or engaged in any wrongdoing. Because of Gates' global influence in philanthropy and technology, lawmakers are scrutinizing how such connections may have impacted public trust and institutional integrity.
During the proceedings on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Gates expressed regret over his decisions to interact with Epstein [2]. "I should have never met with Jeffrey Epstein," Gates said [3]. He further said, "I am deeply sorry for giving Jeffrey Epstein credibility" [3].
Gates told the committee that his motivations for the meetings were tied to philanthropic goals. "I had several dinners with Jeffrey Epstein, believing he was fundraising for global health causes," Gates said [4].
The House Oversight Committee is investigating the extent of the relationship to see if Epstein leveraged these high-profile connections to mask his criminal activities. The closed-door nature of the interview suggests that the committee is gathering specific evidence before deciding on further public hearings or reports.
This appearance marks a significant moment in the ongoing scrutiny of wealthy individuals who maintained ties to Epstein. While Gates has previously addressed the topic in media interviews, the formal congressional setting requires sworn testimony—a process that carries legal weight and potential consequences for inaccuracies.
“"I should have never met with Jeffrey Epstein."”
This testimony signals that U.S. lawmakers are moving beyond the criminal prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein to examine the systemic failure of global elites to vet their associates. By questioning Gates, the House Oversight Committee is exploring whether the pursuit of philanthropic funding created a blind spot that allowed a convicted offender to maintain a veneer of legitimacy through proximity to power.
