Bill Gates testified before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday and said he had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes [1, 2].
The testimony comes as part of a broader investigation into the activities of the late financier and the nature of his connections to prominent global figures. Because of Gates' previous associations with Epstein, the committee sought to determine if the co-founder of Microsoft was aware of or complicit in any illegal activities.
During the hearing in Washington, D.C., Gates addressed the nature of his relationship with Epstein. He said that he has never victimized anyone [2]. He further alleged that Epstein attempted to use private information to manipulate him [3].
"He tried to blackmail me using information about my personal life," Gates said [3].
Gates maintained that his interactions with Epstein did not include knowledge of the financier's criminal behavior. "I had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes," Gates said [1].
The House Committee on Oversight and Reform is continuing its review of Epstein's network to identify potential victims, and collaborators. Gates' appearance is one of several high-profile testimonies aimed at clarifying the extent of Epstein's influence within the tech and political sectors — a process intended to provide a full accounting of the financier's reach.
Throughout the proceedings, Gates remained firm in his denial of any wrongdoing. He said that any attempts by Epstein to leverage personal details were unsuccessful in creating a partnership based on criminal activity [1, 2].
“"I had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes."”
This testimony represents a strategic effort by Bill Gates to formally distance himself from Jeffrey Epstein's criminal legacy. By alleging blackmail, Gates shifts the narrative from one of mutual association to one of targeted exploitation, potentially preempting further scrutiny into his personal affairs while providing the House Oversight Committee with a specific account of how Epstein operated his influence network.
