Bill Gates testified before the U.S. House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, regarding his past associations with Jeffrey Epstein [1, 2, 3].
The testimony is part of a broader congressional effort to map Epstein's network and determine if those connections influenced the philanthropic activities of the Microsoft co-founder [1, 2, 3].
During the hearing in Washington, D.C., Gates addressed the nature of his interactions with the financier who died. He said he did not fully understand the extent of Epstein's crimes at the time of their meetings [1, 2, 3].
"It was a grave error in judgment," Gates said [1].
Investigators questioned Gates on the timing and purpose of the meetings. Gates maintained that his involvement with Epstein was a mistake and that he should have avoided the association entirely. He said, "I should have never met Jeffrey Epstein" [3].
When asked about the nature of his conduct during those interactions, Gates denied any involvement in the crimes associated with Epstein's network. He said, "I never victimized anyone" [2].
The House Oversight Committee is continuing to probe how Epstein leveraged his connections to gain access to high-profile figures in business, and philanthropy [1, 2, 3]. Gates' appearance marks a significant step in the committee's effort to examine the social and professional circles that surrounded the convicted sex offender.
“"It was a grave error in judgment."”
This testimony represents a formal attempt by the U.S. government to scrutinize the intersection of global philanthropy and the network of Jeffrey Epstein. By calling Gates to testify, the House Oversight Committee is exploring whether Epstein's influence extended into the strategic decision-making of major charitable foundations or if the association was purely social.
