Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates is once again addressing questions about his past association with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, calling the connection a “major error in judgment.”
In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, Gates, 69, acknowledged his regret over the meetings he had with Epstein, a convicted sex offender who passed away in 2019 while awaiting trial on serious charges. “Looking back, I was unwise to spend any time with him,” Gates said. “I thought it would assist me in global health philanthropy. In reality, it did not achieve that. It was simply a significant error.”
While Gates has previously spoken about this topic, public interest continues, especially regarding the extent and timing of his involvement with Epstein. Reports indicate that the two met on several occasions to discuss philanthropic efforts, but critics argue that Gates, already one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, did not need Epstein’s help in that regard.
The scrutiny intensified after reports surfaced alleging that Epstein may have attempted to use personal information to influence Gates. According to The Wall Street Journal, Epstein had knowledge of Gates’ reported past relationship with bridge player Mila Antonova and allegedly tried to leverage that information. Gates has not publicly commented on those specific allegations.
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