During Bill Gates’ twice-yearly gathering with his foundation’s employees on Tuesday, the Microsoft co-founder discussed his connection with the imprisoned sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In an audio clip obtained byThe Wall Street Journal, Gates admitted to having two relationships with Russian women but claimed they were not victims of Epstein. “I did nothing illegal. I saw nothing illegal,” he stated.
He stated, “To be clear, I never spent any time with the victims, the women near him.”
Gates mentioned that he started meeting with Epstein in 2011, three years following Epstein’s guilty plea for soliciting a minor for prostitution. During that period, Gates stated he was aware of an “18-month restriction” that prevented Epstein from traveling.
He mentioned that his connection with the convicted sex offender lasted until 2014. During those three years, Gates traveled with Epstein on a private jet and spent time with him in Germany, France, New York, and Washington, D.C. Nevertheless, Gates stated he “never spent the night” or went to Epstein’s private island.
During their discussions, Gates mentioned that Epstein would discuss “the close relationships he had with many billionaires, especially those from Wall Street.” Gates informed his team that he thought Epstein could assist in securing funds for their initiatives.
It was a major error to spend time with Epstein,” Gates added, “and to introduce him to my executives. I apologize to others who were brought into this because of the mistake I made.
Who were the two women from Russia?
Gates informed his team about his extramarital relationships on Monday. “I did have affairs, one with (Mila Antonova), a Russian bridge player I encountered at bridge gatherings, and another with a Russian nuclear scientist I met through professional connections.”
A consultant for the Gates Foundation, Boris Nikolic, is said to have informed Epstein about Gates’ extramarital relationships.
On July 4th, 2013, Epsteinwrotean email addressed to Nikolic that appeared to allude to the relationships: “Bill risks moving from being the wealthiest individual to the most glaring hypocrite, Melinda a subject of ridicule, and commitments will vanish as a result.”
The email subsequently identified two women with whom Epstein had relationships and mentioned that they “risked becoming overnight sensations.”
Gates is said to have encountered the bridge enthusiast in 2010, when she was in her twenties and he was 55 years old. Following their meeting in 2013, Epstein provided and covered the cost of her education at a software programming academy.
Emails from the late 2010s show that the bridge player, Mila, maintained communication with Nikolic, who then passed her information on to Epstein.
“Mila had sent me a few emails over the last two months,” Nikolic told Epstein in anemailsince mid-2017. “After I sent her that message, she mentioned she had very little money, couldn’t afford an air conditioner, was staying on a friend’s couch (and) really needed financial help. !!!!”
Nikolic stated he sent Mila some funds without indicating a specific amount and noted that TV host Sharon Osborne had also reached out to her.
“She is okay but financially struggling. That story would remove Trump from the headlines. The richest man in the world is so stingy that his former girlfriend and toy resides on a friend’s couch,” he wrote about Epstein.
Nikolic’s name appears in the Department of Justice’s database over 14,500 times.
Larry Summers steps down from Harvard due to messages with Epstein
Harvard University announcedon Wednesday, it was announced that Lawrence H. Summers, a former Treasury Secretary who worked under Bill Clinton, will step down from his teaching position at the end of the academic year.
The newly published Epstein documents from the Justice Department contain hundreds of mentions of Summers and reveal their correspondence regardingwomen and financesall the way until Epstein was taken into custody in the summer of 2019.
Summers frequently sought Epstein’s guidance on how to approach women. Meanwhile, the economist has been married to Elisa New, a Harvard literature professor, since 2005.
One conversation from April 24, 2019, reveals Epsteinadvising SummersWhat should he text a woman who he offered to help with an academic paper?
Their iMessage exchange reveals Epstein telling Summers, “Strong doesn’t mean cruel. You’re straightforward. ‘I gave you a chance and you ignored it. I understand. It took me some time because I had such intense emotions. But it’s starting to settle in. Your paper will probably be fine without my input.'” Epstein sent another message, “HAD. Intense emotions. Past tense. She will reply.”
A short while later, Summers remarked, “Give me a call.”
In 2020, Harvard examined Epstein’s connections to the university and specifically mentioned Summers. It discovered that Epstein had planned and assisted Summers in establishing a new program, according toThe New York Times.
After stepping down, Summers released a statement where he thanked the “thousands of students and colleagues I had the honor of teaching and collaborating with since joining Harvard as a graduate student 50 years ago.”
“Unburdened by formal duties, as President Emeritus and a retired professor, I anticipate in the future to participate in research, analysis, and discussion regarding various global economic topics,” he stated.
Documents reveal Steve Bannon assisted Epstein until his arrest.
For several months before Epstein’s arrest, Steve Bannon, who previously served as a White House strategist for President Donald Trump, sent messages regarding which attorneys the sex offender should hire and ways to restore his public image.
He advisedIn April 2019, Epstein stated, “First, we must counter the falsehoods; next, dismantle the pedophile/trafficking storyline; finally, restore your reputation as a benefactor.”
A few months later, on June 25, 2026, Epstein emailed Bannon aMiami Herald headlinethat being said, federal prosecutors had permitted his plea agreement to remain in effect.
Bannon replied, “Dude!!!!! Is this genuine? Let me know this is real.” When Epstein confirmed it was, Bannon said, “Awesome, awesome, awesome.”
After the files’ disclosures, Bannon defended his connection with Epstein toThe New York Times as strictly professional.
“I am a filmmaker and TV host with many years of experience interviewing people who generate controversy. These private messages should only be understood through that perspective — as a documentary filmmaker attempting, over time, to obtain 50 hours of interviews from a secluded individual,” he stated.
In 2025, The New York PostIt was reported that Bannon possesses 15 hours of video material for the documentary, “The Monsters: Epstein’s Life Among the Global Elite.” Bannon has chosen not to share all of his footage.
