Melinda French Gates Reacts to DOJ’s New Epstein Files Linking Bill Gates
Updated (3 articles)
DOJ Releases Massive Epstein Document Cache The Department of Justice made public over three million pages of Epstein investigation material on February 1, 2026, including emails, videos and drafts that mention Bill and Melinda French Gates [1][2][3]. The release is the final tranche required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act and expands the known network of Epstein’s contacts. Media outlets note the cache revives intense scrutiny of the Gates‑Epstein relationship.
Melinda French Gates Expresses Deep Sadness and Painful Memories In an NPR “Wild Card” interview, Melinda French Gates said the documents caused “unbelievable sadness” and brought back “very, very painful times” from her marriage [1][2][3]. She emphasized that unanswered questions belong to those named, including her ex‑husband, and she is “happy to be away from all the muck.” The interview also highlighted her empathy for the victims, describing their situation as “beyond heartbreaking.”
Bill Gates Acknowledges Limited Contact and Regrets Interaction Speaking to Nine News Australia, Bill Gates confirmed he met Epstein only at a few dinner events, never visited Epstein’s island, and “regrets every minute” spent with the convicted sex offender [1][2]. He denied any sexual misconduct and said an alleged 2013 resignation‑style email was never sent. His spokesperson reiterated that the claims are “absolutely absurd and completely false.”
2013 Draft Emails Surface Allegations and Unclear Authorship Unpublished drafts saved in Epstein’s email account reference personal grievances toward Gates, including fears of a sexually transmitted disease, marital discord with Melinda, and business concerns [1][2][3]. The emails are unsigned, and authorship remains disputed; both Gates and his spokesperson label the content as false. The drafts also allege procurement of medication for Gates, a claim the Gates team denies.
Spokesperson Frames Documents as Defamation Attempt Gates’ spokesperson described the DOJ files as evidence of “Epstein’s frustration” and a “defamation attempt” by a “proven, disgruntled liar” [1][2][3]. The statement asserts that the documents contain no legal accusations against Bill Gates and that the allegations are “absolutely absurd.” This framing underscores the ongoing battle over the narrative surrounding the released material.
Sources
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BBC: Melinda French Gates Reacts to Bill Gates’ Appearance in New Epstein Files: Highlights Melinda’s sadness, the three‑million‑page DOJ release, Bill Gates’ limited contact and regret, and the spokesperson’s defamation claim .
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CNN: Melinda French Gates reacts to new Epstein documents linking Bill Gates: Emphasizes Melinda’s emotional response, the scale of the DOJ cache, draft email content, Bill Gates’ denial and remorse, and the spokesperson’s dismissal of the claims .
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Newsweek: Melinda French Gates Responds to New Epstein Files Linking Bill Gates: Focuses on Melinda’s statement that accountability lies elsewhere, the extensive DOJ release, the 2013 email drafts, and the social‑media resurgence of her 2022 CBS interview .
Timeline
Jul 18, 2013 – Two unsigned emails drafted from Jeffrey Epstein’s account allege that Bill Gates contracted a sexually transmitted disease and complain about procuring medicine for him; the drafts also reference marital discord with Melinda French Gates, though authorship remains unclear [1][2][3].
2019 – Jeffrey Epstein dies in a New York jail while awaiting trial, ending his criminal case but later prompting a massive DOJ investigation that uncovers a wide network of high‑profile contacts [1].
2022 – Melinda French Gates appears in a CBS interview with Gayle King, condemning Epstein and Bill Gates’ meetings; the clip later resurfaces on social media in 2026, garnering hundreds of thousands of views [3].
Jan 30, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Justice releases the final tranche of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, publishing over three million pages of documents, videos and images that detail Epstein’s connections to business leaders, celebrities and world officials, and include the 2013 draft emails targeting Gates [1][2][3].
Feb 3, 2026 – Newly released DOJ documents explicitly mention Melinda French Gates in drafts tied to Epstein, reviving scrutiny of Bill Gates’ past interactions and prompting public calls for accountability [3].
Feb 4, 2026 – On NPR’s “Wild Card” podcast, Melinda French Gates says she feels “unbelievable sadness” and that the files bring back “very, very painful times” in her marriage, adding that unanswered questions belong to those named, including her ex‑husband [1][2][3].
Feb 4, 2026 – In a 9News Australia interview, Bill Gates admits limited contact with Epstein, stating he attended only a few dinners, never visited Epstein’s island, and “regrets every minute” spent with the convicted sex offender, offering an apology [1].
Feb 4, 2026 – A Gates spokesperson tells NPR the DOJ papers merely reflect “Epstein’s frustration” and calls the allegations “absolutely absurd and completely false,” framing the release as a defamation attempt by a “proven, disgruntled liar” [1][2][3].
Feb 4, 2026 – Social‑media platforms revive clips of the 2022 CBS interview with Melinda French Gates, sparking viral attention and hundreds of thousands of views as the public revisits her condemnation of Epstein and Bill Gates’ meetings [3].
External resources (4 links)
- https://www.justice.gov/epstein (cited 1 times)
- https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00965773.pdf (cited 1 times)