Bill Gates apologizes over ties to Epstein
Deutsche Welle
February 26, 2026
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Bill Gates has issued a public apology to his employees at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation after acknowledging that his past associations with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, have tarnished the reputation of the philanthropic organization. During an internal town hall meeting, Gates admitted that maintaining contact with Epstein was a "huge mistake" and took responsibility for involving foundation executives in meetings with Epstein. He apologized for the harm caused to the institution and its employees, emphasizing that his actions were misguided but not illegal.
Gates revealed that his relationship with Epstein began in 2011, three years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution. Despite knowing about Epstein's legal troubles, including an "18-month thing" restricting his travel, Gates continued their interactions until at least 2013. He claimed these meetings were focused on philanthropic discussions aimed at raising funds for global health and other initiatives but denied any involvement in Epstein's crimes or knowledge of his victims. Gates also acknowledged that his wife, Melinda, had expressed concerns about Epstein during their time together.
The Justice Department documents released recently highlighted multiple meetings between Gates and Epstein after Epstein's prison sentence, with images showing Gates posing alongside redacted individuals. While the foundation clarified that no financial payments were made to Epstein and he was never employed by them, the fallout has led to questions about how such ties could exist within a global philanthropic institution. Gates' decision to cancel an appearance at an AI summit in India following these disclosures further underscores the significant reputational damage caused by the revelations.
This situation raises important questions about accountability and trust within high-profile philanthropic organizations. While the foundation remains one of the world's largest funders of global health programs, the association with Epstein has sparked concerns about how donor money is spent and who is involved in decision-making processes. The episode also highlights the ongoing challenges of managing public perception when leaders are linked to individuals with controversial pasts.
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Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/26/2026