The latest release of the Epstein files contains more big names from the tech world and beyond, with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates speaking out after he was again linked to the late financier and convicted criminal.
In 2019, Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his cell while awaiting trial for sex trafficking, having apparently taken his own life. After previously being charged as a child sex offender, serial rapist, and human trafficker, Epstein's connections to some of the world's most influential people have led to his passing becoming a major conspiracy theory. Still, with his supposed 'little black book', and the Department of Justice having millions of documents, emails, and photographs mentioning everyone from presidents to Elon Musk, a full release of the coveted Epstein files has become a major point of contention for the current administration.
Following calls for Attorney General Pam Bondi to resign over the government's handling of the Epstein files, President Donald Trump pulled a U-turn on their release, and there were threats of legal action as the DoJ was accused of missing its deadline.
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A massive release toward the end of 2025 saw a lot of attention thrown at former President Bill Clinton, but with a subsequent January 2026 release, it's now Bill Gates' turn to answer some awkward questions.
This isn't the first time the Microsoft co-founder has been linked to Epstein, and in 2019, a representative for the billionaire told Business Insider: "Although Epstein pursued Bill Gates aggressively, any account of a business partnership or personal relationship between the two is categorically false."
One email in the latest release claims that Gates had caught an STD from 'Russian girls', with another mentioning Gates' ex-wife, Melinda French Gates: "To add insult to the injury you then subsequently with tears in your eyes, implore me to please delete the emails regarding your std, your request that I provide you antibiotics that you can surreptitiously give to Melinda, and the description of your penis."
Melinda French Gates has already spoken out about the mention of her former husband, referring to the whole situation as 'heartbreaking' and adding: "I remember being those ages those girls were. I remember my daughters being those ages, right?
“So, for me it's personally hard whenever those details come up, because [it] brings back memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage."
Although Bill Gates' team said the STD allegations are "absolutely absurd and completely false," he's now delivered his own personal statement.
Speaking to 9News' Chief Political Editor Charles Croucher, Gates has again denied these 'false' allegations.
The tech mogul reiterated: “Apparently, Jeffrey wrote an email to himself. That email was never sent. The email is false. I don't know what his thinking was there. Was he trying to attack me in some way?"
He then went on to discuss his relationship with Epstein, continuing: "Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologise that I did that."
"The focus was always, he knew a lot of very rich people, and he was saying he could get them to give money to global health. In retrospect, that was a dead end.
Gates concluded: "I was foolish to spend time with him. I was one of many people who regret ever knowing him.
"The more that comes out, the more clear it will be that, although the time was a mistake, it has nothing to do with that kind of behaviour."