Lawmakers once saw Bill Gates as a benevolent innovator. After Epstein, they aren’t sure.

Bill Gates expressed remorse for his association with Jeffrey Epstein during a House Oversight Committee interview, but lawmakers remain uncertain about the impact on his reputation. Gates claimed he did not know about Epstein's crimes and described their relationship as a means to access donors for humanitarian work. Lawmakers noted his philanthropy but criticized his 'grave error in judgment' in engaging with Epstein.