The DOJ Epstein documents released this week have reignited global scrutiny around Jeffrey Epstein’s network, after a newly disclosed email revealed Epstein once claimed Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates had an extramarital affair, an allegation Gates has firmly denied.
The claim appeared in an internal email Epstein sent to himself in July 2013, now made public as part of a major US Department of Justice disclosure.
While the documents name several high-profile figures, UK readers should note that being mentioned does not amount to evidence of wrongdoing.
What are the DOJ Epstein documents, and why were they released now?
The DOJ Epstein documents form part of more than three million files released on Friday by the US Department of Justice.
The release follows the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law in November, which ordered the government to publish previously sealed material.
The disclosure builds on earlier stages of the review process, during which US officials examined millions of records linked to Epstein’s contacts and finances during the DOJ’s review of 5.2 million Epstein files.
According to the DOJ, the documents include emails, court records, photographs and internal notes linked to Epstein’s finances and contacts over several decades.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the disclosure complies with federal law and “marks the end of a very comprehensive review process”.
US Department of Justice: “This release fulfils our legal obligations and brings long-awaited transparency to these materials.”
What exactly did Jeffrey Epstein claim about Bill Gates?
One of the newly released files is a 225-word email, dated 18 July 2013, with the subject line simply reading: “bill”. Epstein sent the email to himself.
In the note, Epstein alleged that Bill Gates, then married to Melinda Gates, was involved in extramarital relationships. Epstein also claimed he helped arrange what he described as “illicit trysts”.
#epstein ALERT ‼️
In the newly released documents by DOJ, Epstein sent himself emails recounting a fight with Bill Gates, claiming that Bill had contracted STDs from Russian h++kers. Bill asked Jeffrey for antibiotics to secretly give to Melinda without her noticing@BillGates pic.twitter.com/EaCDc7giE3
— Stock PlayMaker 🌐 (@stockplaymaker1) January 30, 2026
He further wrote that he intended to resign from roles linked to Gates-related organisations, stating he had been asked to do things that were “potentially over the line into the illegal”.
Importantly, the email contains no evidence, only Epstein’s own assertions.
How has Bill Gates responded to the allegations?
A spokesperson for Bill Gates strongly rejected the claims, calling them “completely false”.
Gates spokesperson: “These claims are absolutely absurd and completely false. 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.”
Gates has previously acknowledged meeting Epstein, saying in 2021 that he had dinners with him in the hope of raising funds for global health projects. Speaking to PBS, Gates described those meetings as “a mistake”.
Why is this resurfacing sensitive now?
The claims arrive against the backdrop of Bill and Melinda Gates’ divorce, announced in May 2021, after 27 years of marriage.
While Epstein’s email predates the divorce by several years, it has drawn renewed attention due to the timing and scale of the DOJ release.
For UK audiences, the significance lies less in the allegation itself and more in how unverified claims can spread when high-profile names appear in official records.
Who else is named in the Epstein files?
The DOJ Epstein documents reference a wide range of prominent figures, including:
- Donald Trump, US President
- Bill Clinton, former US President
- Elon Musk, tech billionaire
The DOJ has stressed that mentions do not imply guilt, misconduct or criminal behaviour.
Why does this matter to UK readers?
Although the documents come from the US, they influence global discussions around accountability, transparency and media responsibility, all issues that resonate strongly in the UK.
The case highlights how:
- Official document releases can revive old claims
- Allegations can circulate without proof
- Readers must separate claims from confirmed facts
UK media regulators and courts follow stricter defamation standards than the US, making careful reporting especially important.
