Bill Gates Apologizes for Epstein Meetings After DOJ Releases Over 3 Million Files
Updated (5 articles)
Justice Department Unveils Over 3 Million Epstein Documents The U.S. Justice Department made public more than three million pages of material on February 4‑5, 2026, including emails, images and videos tied to Jeffrey Epstein’s network[1][2][3]. The tranche, released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, adds roughly 180,000 images and 2,000 videos to the archive and contains unsent draft emails from July 18, 2013 that reference Bill Gates[5]. Redactions protect victim identities, while officials warn the batch also holds unverified or sensational claims about other public figures[5].
Bill Gates Publicly Regrets Every Minute with Epstein In a February 4, 2026 interview with Nine News Australia, Gates said, “Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologise,” emphasizing that his contact was limited to a handful of dinner meetings between 2011 and 2014 and never included travel to Epstein’s Caribbean island[1][3]. He denied any illegal activity or involvement in drug procurement, labeling the alleged 2013 email about a sexually transmitted disease as “never sent” and “false”[1][5]. A Gates spokesperson framed the newly released files as evidence of Epstein’s “frustration” and an attempt to “entrap and defame” the billionaire[1].
Melinda French Gates Describes Deep Sadness Over New Files Melinda French Gates told NPR’s “Wild Card” podcast that the documents caused “unbelievable sadness” and revived “very, very painful times” in her marriage, urging that unanswered questions be directed at those named, including her ex‑husband[2][3]. She added that society is undergoing a reckoning but stressed that accountability lies with the individuals involved, not herself[4]. The interview preview was released ahead of a full NPR conversation scheduled for Thursday, promising additional context on the Gates‑Epstein controversy[2].
Draft 2013 Emails Alleging STD Deemed Unsigned and False Two July 18, 2013 drafts saved in Epstein’s account allege that Gates contracted a sexually transmitted disease after “sex with Russian girls” and that Epstein procured medication for him[5]. Both messages appear only as unsent drafts, contain no signature from Epstein, and no corresponding Gates email exists in the files[5]. Gates’ team called the claims “absolutely absurd and completely false,” describing Epstein as a “disgruntled liar” whose frustrations produced the fabricated material[5].
Sources
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1.
The Hindu: Bill Gates regrets every minute spent with Jeffrey Epstein: Gates expresses regret, denies a draft email, cites DOJ’s new document dump, and notes his spokesperson’s entrapment claim while Melinda French Gates comments on personal pain.
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CNN: Melinda French Gates Reacts to New Gates‑Epstein Documents: Melinda shares “unbelievable sadness,” highlights the 3 million‑page release, mentions draft emails hinting at marital tension, and notes Gates’ denial and upcoming NPR interview.
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BBC: Melinda French Gates Reacts to Bill Gates’ Appearance in New Epstein Files: Melinda describes painful memories, Gates denies illegal activity and STD claim, DOJ’s massive release is detailed, and unsigned 2013 emails are discussed.
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Newsweek (Feb 4): Melinda French Gates Responds to New Epstein Files Linking Bill Gates: Documents mention Melinda, she deflects accountability, recalls marriage pain, Gates’ spokesperson calls allegations false, and social media revives her 2022 CBS interview.
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Newsweek (Jan 31): Bill Gates Denies Epstein STD Claim Amid Massive Document Release: Gates rejects the STD allegation, DOJ’s extensive cache is outlined, draft emails are labeled unsent, spokesperson brands accuser a liar, and lawmakers question withheld pages.
Timeline
July 18, 2013 – Draft emails saved in Jeffrey Epstein’s account reference Bill Gates, alleging procurement of medication after “sex with Russian girls” and accusing Gates of covering up an STD; the drafts were never sent and no Gates‑originating email appears, raising questions about Epstein’s motives [4].
2019 – Bill Gates publicly acknowledges an affair with a Microsoft employee, adding to marital strain with Melinda French Gates and providing context for later scrutiny of his relationship with Epstein [1].
2021 – After 27 years of marriage, Melinda French Gates and Bill Gates finalize their divorce, a split that had already been strained by concerns over Bill’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein [1].
2022 – Melinda French Gates appears in a CBS interview with Gayle King condemning Epstein and Bill Gates’ meetings; clips of the interview later go viral on Threads, resurfacing public attention to the issue [3].
Jan 31, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Justice releases a massive cache of over three million pages, 180,000 images and 2,000 videos of Epstein‑related material, marking the largest disclosure under the Epstein Files Transparency Act and prompting lawmakers to question why half of identified pages remain withheld [4].
Jan 31, 2026 – Bill Gates, through his spokesperson, denounces an alleged Epstein claim that he contracted a sexually transmitted disease as “absolutely absurd and completely false,” labeling Epstein a “disgruntled liar” and emphasizing that no evidence supports the accusation [4].
Feb 4, 2026 – The DOJ adds another tranche of more than three million pages to the public record, intensifying scrutiny of Bill Gates’ past interactions with Epstein and prompting Melinda French Gates to describe “unbelievable sadness” and “very, very painful times” in her marriage during a preview for NPR’s Wild Card podcast [2].
Feb 4, 2026 – Bill Gates tells Australia’s 9News that “every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologise,” reiterating that his contact with Epstein was limited to a few dinner meetings and never included travel to Epstein’s island [5].
Feb 4, 2026 – In the same NPR preview, Melinda French Gates emphasizes that accountability for unanswered questions lies with Bill Gates and others, not herself, while expressing hope for justice for Epstein’s survivors [1].
Feb 5, 2026 – A full NPR interview with Melinda French Gates is slated for Thursday, Feb 6, 2026, promising a broader view of her perspective on the Gates‑Epstein controversy and the newly released documents [2].
Feb 6, 2026 (planned) – The upcoming NPR Wild Card episode airs, giving Melinda French Gates a platform to elaborate on the painful memories revived by the DOJ releases and to call for accountability from those named in the files [2].
External resources (5 links)
- https://www.justice.gov/epstein (cited 1 times)
- https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00965773.pdf (cited 1 times)
- https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-publishes-35-million-responsive-pages-compliance-epstein-files (cited 1 times)