Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has apologised to employees at the Gates Foundation over his past association with Jeffrey Epstein. During a recent town hall meeting, Gates acknowledged that spending time with Epstein was a serious error.
He described the association as a “huge mistake” and accepted responsibility for its consequences. According to reports, Gates expressed regret for involving foundation executives in meetings connected to Epstein. “I apologise to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made,” Gates told employees. He emphasised that his actions contradicted the core values of the Foundation.
Reputation and Foundation Values at Stake
Gates highlighted that the Gates Foundation operates in a reputation-sensitive environment. He stated that organisations and partners choose whether to collaborate based on trust. Therefore, he recognised that his association with Epstein undermined confidence in the institution.
“It definitely is the opposite of the values of the Foundation and the goals of the Foundation,” he told staff. He further acknowledged that the fallout affected not only him personally but also the organisation’s credibility.
Moreover, Gates admitted that he failed to conduct a thorough background check when he began meeting Epstein. He stated that he first met Epstein in 2011 and continued interactions until 2014.
Meetings and Clarifications
Gates confirmed that he travelled with Epstein on at least one private jet flight. However, he clarified that he never stayed overnight at any of Epstein’s properties. He also stated that he never visited Epstein’s private island.
Additionally, he addressed photographs showing him standing with women whose faces were redacted. Gates said the images were taken at Epstein’s request following meetings. According to him, the women in the photographs were Epstein’s assistants.
“I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,” Gates told the staff during the session. He further clarified that he never spent time with Epstein’s victims or women linked to abuse allegations.
“To be clear, I never spent any time with victims, the women around him,” he stated.
DOJ Documents Add Fresh Scrutiny
The renewed discussion follows the release of documents by the US Department of Justice. A draft email attributed to Epstein contained unverified claims about Gates. In the draft, Epstein alleged involvement in facilitating inappropriate activities. However, Gates denied any illicit conduct and rejected the claims.
Furthermore, he admitted that he was aware of Epstein’s legal troubles when meetings began. Epstein had previously faced charges that restricted his travel. Nevertheless, Gates acknowledged that he underestimated the seriousness of the situation.
Personal Reflections and Former Wife’s Concerns
During the town hall, Gates also reflected on warnings from his former wife. He said she had expressed skepticism about Epstein early on. “To give her credit, she was always kind of skeptical about the Epstein thing,” Gates told staff. He added that hindsight makes the situation significantly worse. “Knowing what I know now makes it a hundred times worse,” he stated. He acknowledged that Epstein’s past crimes and continued misconduct deepened the gravity of the association.
Moreover, Gates explained that the presence of other influential individuals at meetings influenced his perception. He admitted that seeing respected figures interact with Epstein made the situation appear normal at the time. Consequently, this normalisation contributed to his misjudgment. Gates previously addressed the issue in an interview with 9News Australia. He said that he regrets every minute spent with Epstein. “Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologise,” he stated during the interview.
However, the recent town hall marked a direct apology to Foundation employees. By addressing staff openly, Gates sought to clarify his actions and reaffirm institutional values.
Ongoing Impact
Although Gates denied any illegal conduct, the association continues to attract scrutiny. The Gates Foundation plays a major role in global health and philanthropy. Therefore, maintaining trust remains critical for its operations.
By publicly accepting responsibility, Gates attempted to distance the organisation from his past decision. Nevertheless, the controversy underscores how reputational risks can affect philanthropic institutions.
Ultimately, Gates framed his apology as a lesson in judgment and accountability. He acknowledged that the decision contradicted the Foundation’s mission. Consequently, he expressed hope that transparency would help rebuild trust within the organisation.
