Bill Gates questioned on ties to Jeffrey Epstein: ‘I regret having those dinners’

Via PBS

2024 Student Journalism Conference

Applications are now open for The Democracy Fund's third annual Student Journalism Conference. This is a one-of-a-kind, all-expenses-paid opportunity for young aspiring journalists in Canada!

TDF Student Journalism Conference 2024

E-transfer (Canada):
[email protected] - password RebelNews if required

Cheques made out to Rebel News:
Rebel News Network Ltd.
PO Box 61056 Eglinton/Dufferin RO
Toronto, ON M6E 5B2

Crypto

Microsoft founder Bill Gates was questioned during an interview on PBS News about his former ties to convicted sex offender and disgraced billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who reportedly committed suicide while awaiting trial in prison.

PBS News host Judy Woodruff pressed Gates on his dalliance with Epstein after Epstein had already pled guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution — a high-profile case that made headlines in the media. In response, Gates said that he regretted the dinners he had with the disgraced billionaire, meaning that he met with Epstein more than once.

Epstein reportedly told Gates that he had contacts with numerous luminaries who could help Gates advance his global health projects. 

“It was reported that you continued to meet with him over several years, and that — in other words, a number of meetings,” Woodruff said. “What did you do when you found out about his background?”

“Well, I have said I regretted having those dinners. And there’s nothing, absolutely nothing new on that,” Gates replied.

“Is there a lesson for you, for anyone else looking at this?” Woodruff continued. 

“Well, he’s dead,” Gates responded. “So, in general, you always have to be careful. And the — I’m very proud of what we have done in philanthropy, be very proud of the work of the foundation. That’s what I get up every day and focus on.”

The conversation between the PBS News host and Gates was posted on social media. 

PBS asking Bill Gates about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein: “Is there a lesson for you, for anyone else looking at this?”

Bill Gates: “Well, he’s dead, so, uhhh, you know, in general you always have to be careful...”

Very normal & cool answer!pic.twitter.com/mL4hqKnos6

— Jerry Dunleavy (@JerryDunleavy) September 22, 2021

A transcript, compiled by the Daily Wire, went as follows:

JUDY WOODRUFF, PBS NEWSHOUR: I also want to ask you about something else in the public arena. It was reported at that time that you had a number of meetings with Jeffrey Epstein, who, when you met him 10 years ago, he was convicted of soliciting prostitution from minors. What did you know about him when you were meeting with him, as you have said yourself, in the hopes of raising money?

BILL GATES: You know, I had dinners with him. I regret doing that. He had relationships with people he said would give to global health, which is an interest I have. Not nearly enough philanthropy goes in that direction. Those meetings were a mistake. They didn’t result in what he purported. And I cut them off. That goes back a long time ago now. There’s — so there’s nothing new on that.

WOODRUFF: It was reported that you continued to meet with him over several years, and that — in other words, a number of meetings. What did you do when you found out about his background?

GATES: Well, I have said I regretted having those dinners. And there’s nothing, absolutely nothing new on that.

WOODRUFF: Is there a lesson for you, for anyone else looking at this?

GATES: Well, he’s dead. So, in general, you always have to be careful. And the — I’m very proud of what we have done in philanthropy, be very proud of the work of the foundation. That’s what I get up every day and focus on.

WOODRUFF: And so for people watching who wonder about the future of the Gates Foundation, what’s your message?

GATES: Well, I’m extremely lucky that, with the help of Melinda and the incredible generosity of Warren Buffett, we’re able to take these important causes and bring innovation to bear. We were funding mRNA vaccines when it was still viewed as something that would never work. And now that’s turned into a source of some of the very best vaccines. We have great hopes to use that technology for an HIV vaccine. Our work has reduced childhood death rates quite dramatically over the last 20 years. So, this is my second career. We have hired great people. We have made some progress. The visibility of the inequity here isn’t as high as it should be. And maybe one small benefit of the pandemic is, people will realize how weak these health systems are and how diseases like malaria and polio are still out there, and incredible tragedies. So, I’m very lucky to be involved in this work. It’s gone way better than I expected. This will be the focus for the rest of my life.