Bad things said about Bill Gates in the Epstein Files?
Executive summary
The newly released Justice Department files include a cluster of allegations about Bill Gates drafted by Jeffrey Epstein that portray Gates as having extramarital encounters with “Russian girls,” suffering a sexually transmitted infection, and seeking antibiotics to surreptitiously give to his then‑wife — claims that are unverified and appear in emails Epstein wrote to himself or in draft notes [1][2]. Bill Gates and his representatives categorically deny the substantive allegations and say the documents reflect Epstein’s attempts to entrap, while Melinda French Gates has said the revelations reopen “painful” moments and that Gates has questions to answer [3][4].
1. What the Epstein files actually allege about Gates
Several of the documents consist of Epstein’s own draft emails and notes asserting that Epstein had helped Gates “get drugs, in order to deal with consequences of sex with russian girls,” that Gates had extramarital trysts, and that Epstein was asked to provide antibiotics Gates could “surreptitiously give to Melinda,” language that appears in drafts Epstein sent to himself and in a purported resignation letter drafted around 2013 [2][1][5].
2. Salacious side notes and personal attacks inside Epstein’s texts
Beyond the STD and secret‑medicine allegations, Epstein’s messages include character assaults — accusing Gates of being “so cheap” toward a named Russian woman and depicting interpersonal disputes tied to Gates’ foundation ties — claims published by outlets that obtained the DOJ release and by tabloids relaying Epstein’s comments about individuals like bridge player Mila Antonova [6][7].
3. How Gates and his spokespeople have responded
Gates has said he “regrets” knowing Epstein and called the allegations false, describing the specific emails as apparently written by Epstein to himself and “absurd,” while a Gates spokesperson told multiple outlets the claims are from “a proven, disgruntled liar” and “absolutely absurd and completely false” [8][1][9]. In media interviews Gates acknowledged being “foolish” to spend time with Epstein but denied the conduct alleged in the drafts [9].
4. Melinda French Gates’ public reaction and demands for answers
Melinda French Gates said the documents dredged up “painful times” in the marriage and expressed “unbelievable sadness,” publicly urging that those named in the files answer questions; Republican lawmakers and commentators have echoed calls for subpoenas or inquiries into Gates’ Epstein ties [4][8][3].
5. What the reporting and the files do not prove
News organizations stress that the contested passages are unverified allegations embedded in Epstein’s drafts and self‑addressed notes — the appearance of Gates’ name in the trove does not constitute criminal accusation, and outlets repeatedly note that no victims or authorities have charged Gates with crimes arising from these files [1][4][5]. The DOJ release also contains many redactions and drafts, which limits what can be independently corroborated from the public documents [5].
6. Competing agendas and why the provenance matters
Journalistic coverage reveals two competing narratives: Epstein’s documents paint a lurid portrait that damages reputation, while Gates’ team frames the papers as instruments of entrapment and defamation by a convicted sex offender; outlets ranging from The Guardian and The New York Times to tabloid and partisan sites amplify different details for varied audiences, so readers must weigh Epstein’s credibility and the draft nature of many entries when assessing the claims [8][2][6].
7. The present factual bottom line
The “bad things” said about Bill Gates in the Epstein files are chiefly allegations by Jeffrey Epstein — that Gates engaged in extramarital sex with “Russian girls,” contracted an STD, sought surreptitious antibiotics for his wife, and involved Epstein in facilitating trysts — all of which are documented in Epstein’s drafts and notes released by the Justice Department but remain unverified and categorically denied by Gates and his spokespeople [1][2][1].