The Epstein investigation just landed one of its biggest names yet.
Bill Gates spent hours behind closed doors on Capitol Hill, and what came out of that room left members of Congress with more questions than answers.
And one Republican lawmaker walked out and said something about the whole thing that nobody in leadership wanted to hear.
Gates Shows Up — But the Doors Stay Shut
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates told the House Oversight Committee that meeting Epstein “was a grave error in judgment,” appearing in a closed-door setting that marked one of the most high-profile interviews the committee has conducted since it began probing the government’s handling of the Epstein case.
Before the interview started, Gates told reporters, “I’m glad to be here voluntarily to testify to help with the committee’s work. I hope my testimony is helpful to the important work of the committee to find justice for the victims.”
The meeting with Gates marked the 15th interview the House Oversight Committee has conducted. Already, political figures like former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have sat for depositions in front of the committee, as have business leaders like former Victoria’s Secret CEO Les Wexner.
Before the interview began, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-KY, told reporters that the committee’s effort was “about trying to figure out how the government failed.”
Comer told reporters on his way to the hearing that lawmakers would probe Gates about his links to Epstein and his former partner, Ghislaine Maxwell. “We just want to know about his relationship with Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell. What did he see? Did he know what was going on? Was he involved in any of this?” Comer said.
Comer added: “I will say this: No one’s accusing Bill Gates of any wrongdoing, and I certainly appreciate him coming in voluntarily.”
What Gates Said — And What He Wouldn’t Say
In his prepared opening statement, Gates described how he first met Epstein in 2011 through people in his “professional and philanthropic work” on global health, and continued to have conversations with Epstein through 2014 about potential donors.
“Epstein claimed he could raise billions of dollars for global health from people for whom he provided tax and estate services,” Gates said.
“I recall being aware that Epstein had faced prior legal issues, but I did not fully understand the extent of the crimes he committed. I accepted the introduction without applying the scrutiny I should have,” he told lawmakers.
That last line is the one that ought to stick. Gates met with Epstein years after the man had already pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from a minor and was required to register as a sex offender. Calling that a lapse in scrutiny is a generous way to put it.
In his prepared remarks, Gates stated: “I never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct. I never went to his island, his ranch, or his Florida home. I have never victimized anyone.”
Gates also admitted to extramarital affairs in the statement and said Epstein used that information to “pressure me to re-engage with him.” Gates said Epstein was unsuccessful in this effort.
According to his prepared statement: “As the public can now see, based on what has been released in the files, Epstein was working to use information about my infidelities — in addition to many lies that he layered on top — to pressure me to re-engage with him. He was unsuccessful in this effort, but it shows some of the ways he tried to leverage his interactions with me to further his agenda.”
At one point during questioning, Gates’ lawyer told lawmakers that the billionaire would not answer questions about his extramarital affairs that are not related to the Epstein case, according to a person in the room.
So he volunteered the information about the affairs in his opening statement, then had his attorney shut down follow-up questions on the same subject. That’s a notable move.
Lawmakers Walk Out With Different Stories
Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN), a member of the House Oversight Committee, called the questioning “intense,” but said Gates was “well-coached” in his answers and he didn’t expect too much new information.
Burchett said it’s clear to him that Epstein was “a friend collector.” “He just liked to have people around him that were a big deal,” Burchett said.
Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi said Gates was “combative” and “not terribly forthcoming or candid.”
Democratic Representative Melanie Stansbury put it plainly: “He admitted that he knew of Mr. Epstein’s reputation. He admitted that he knew that he [Epstein] had been convicted of sexual crimes, but ultimately, in his words, he viewed this narrow relationship as being an acceptable means to access wealthy donors.”
That’s a remarkable admission to come out of any deposition room. Gates knew the man was a convicted sex offender. He kept meeting with him anyway because he thought Epstein could deliver rich donors. Whether that reflects terrible judgment, something worse, or simply how the ultra-wealthy operate in their own world — that’s a question the committee hasn’t fully answered yet.
Burchett Calls Out His Own Party
And here’s where it gets interesting.
Burchett made it clear he would’ve preferred the meeting to be open to the public. The American people have been waiting years for real transparency on Epstein, and a closed-door session with one of the world’s most famous billionaires isn’t exactly what most voters had in mind.
Burchett said: “I’m big about transparency. I always just say, let it be wide open. That seems to be something both parties agree on, and that’s the way we go. We did that with the Clintons as well. I think the Clintons said that they weren’t going to come in unless we did that, which I don’t know how you get past a subpoena. I’m not really sure how that works, but I guess if you’re a big deal, you can do more than the rest of us.”
That last line says everything. If you’re connected enough, well-lawyered enough, and wealthy enough, the rules bend for you. Epstein built his entire operation on exactly that principle.
The Gates interview was not recorded, in contrast to the videotaped appearances earlier this year of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, according to the committee.
Who’s Coming Next
Along with Gates and Epstein’s longtime assistant Lesley Groff, the committee plans this summer to interview billionaire investor Leon Black, former Bill Clinton aide Doug Band, former Goldman Sachs lawyer Kathryn Ruemmler, and former Barclays CEO Jes Staley, according to Comer.
Comer said he is seeking a transcribed interview with attorney Alan Dershowitz. Dershowitz, when contacted by ABC News, said he is eager to testify and that he “has a lot of relevant information” about the disgraced financier. “I would be the most relevant person for them to call,” Dershowitz said.
Dershowitz added: “I want it to be open. I want it to be under oath.”
Comer told reporters he has been meeting with survivors and asking them to read the transcripts of the depositions. “If the survivors see any things that were said in the depositions and interviews that aren’t true, we’re working with them to try to get evidence to figure out if the witnesses were lying,” he said.
Annie Farmer, who testified publicly that Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell sexually abused her at Epstein’s New Mexico ranch when she was 16, told NPR that a lot of people don’t realize how long and personal the Epstein-Gates relationship was, and that “it’s fair” for Gates to answer questions about that connection. “What we’ve seen so far is that a lot of people have taken the stance of just wanting to cover for themselves and have not offered real information,” Farmer said of some of the high-profile appearances before the committee. “With each person that comes, there’s an opportunity to do something different, and I hope that [Gates] chooses to do that.”
That’s the voice that matters most in all of this. Not the lawyers, not the prepared statements, not the carefully worded non-answers from men in expensive suits. The victims have been waiting a long time. They deserve better than closed doors.
After hours behind closed doors, Gates departed through a crowd of reporters and protesters. He didn’t answer shouted questions from members of the media, but later said in a statement that he “appreciated the opportunity to meet with the House Oversight Committee today and to answer all of their questions.” “I support the release of all the files and hope my participation contributes to getting justice for the victims,” Gates continued.
Whether Gates’ answers actually advance the investigation — or whether this ends up being another well-managed appearance by a powerful man with very good lawyers — remains to be seen. Comer says he’s cross-checking testimony against survivor accounts. That’s the right instinct. The next few months will show whether the committee has the spine to follow through.
Sources: Daily Caller, NPR, ABC News, CNN, Associated Press, Al Jazeera, Mediaite