Gates testifies on Epstein: ‘Never went to his island, harmed no one’
In a voluntary testimony before the US House Oversight Committee, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates denied any involvement with Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal network. Gates stated he never visited Epstein’s island, farm, or Florida home, calling their past meetings a “big mistake” he regrets deeply.
Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has testified voluntarily before the US House Oversight Committee regarding his past ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The closed-door session in Washington marked the first time Gates publicly answered lawmakers’ questions about the late financier, who was found dead in a Manhattan prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
Denials over Epstein’s properties and crimes
Gates firmly rejected any suggestion that he participated in or witnessed illegal activities. “I never went to his island, his farm, or his home in Florida,” Gates told the committee. “I harmed no one. He tried to build a personal relationship with me, but I had no such interest and never reciprocated his efforts.” The tech mogul emphasized that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s secretive network of underage victims, which prosecutors have described as one of the most abusive schemes in recent US history.
Admission of a costly error in judgment
Gates admitted meeting Epstein in 2011, believing the financier could help raise billions for global health programs. Although aware that Epstein had prior legal troubles, Gates said he did not grasp the severity of his crimes at the time. “I should never have met with him from the start. Meeting with him was a big mistake,” Gates stated. He later accused Epstein of trying to exploit their conversations for personal gain, adding that Epstein attempted to blackmail him using fabricated claims about his private life, including past marital infidelities.
Hope for justice and Türkiye’s stance on child protection
Concluding his testimony, Gates expressed hope that Epstein’s victims finally receive the justice they deserve. The Epstein case has drawn global attention, including in Türkiye, where authorities have repeatedly stressed zero tolerance for child exploitation and trafficking. Türkiye has also intensified cross-border cooperation with Interpol and US agencies to track such networks. Meanwhile, previously released court documents showed Gates’ name and photos alongside Epstein, prompting renewed scrutiny. Gates continues to deny any unlawful conduct, insisting he was never part of Epstein’s dark circle.
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