Bill Gates has addressed his inclusion in the latest Epstein files, following claims that he "caught STDs from Russian girls".
In an interview with Australia’s 9News, the Microsoft co-founder, 70, admitted that "every minute he spent" with Epstein was a regret, and he apologized for his association with the financier.
"I apologize that I did that," he stated. "I was foolish to spend time with him, and I am one of many people who regret ever knowing him."
Gates has previously documented his meetings with Epstein, which began in 2011, but he denied ever visiting the disgraced financier's infamous private island or having relations with women linked to 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 behavior," he added.
He also addressed an email draft found in Epstein’s records, which alleged that he had contracted a sexually transmitted infection after meeting women arranged by Epstein.
"Apparently, Jeffrey wrote an email to himself. That email was never sent, and it is false," he explained. "I don’t know what his thinking was there. Was he trying to attack me in some way?"
Gates added that it's "factually true" that he was "only at dinners," adding: "I never went to the island. I never met any women. And so, you know, the more that comes out, the more clear it’ll be that although the time was a mistake, it had nothing to do with that kind of behavior.”
A spokesperson for the billionaire has also dismissed the documents, stating: "The only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein’s frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame."
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Melinda French Gates Reacts to New Revelations
Melinda French Gates has also responded to the latest files, which were released as part of a broader investigation into Epstein.
Speaking on NPR’s Wild Card podcast, she expressed her sadness over the new details and reflected on the painful period of her marriage to Gates.
"Whatever questions remain there of what - I can’t even begin to know all of it - those questions are for those people and for even my ex-husband. They need to answer to those things, not me," she said, per CNN.
"I’m able to take my own sadness and look at those young girls and say, ‘My God, how did they… How did that happen to those girls?" she added.
French Gates expressed a desire for justice for the women affected by Epstein’s crimes, noting the "unimaginable" situation they were placed in.