Bill Gates tells a US Congressional committee that Jeffrey Epstein tried to pressure him by using information about Gates’ extramarital affairs and private life. Multiple outlets report that Gates says Epstein attempted to use this knowledge as “leverage” after Gates ended discussions related to Epstein’s philanthropy-related activities. Gates also says he deeply regrets his association with Epstein. According to reports, Gates portrays Epstein as seeking ongoing engagement and personal access, while stating that Epstein wanted a relationship that Gates did not reciprocate. Several sources describe Gates’ account as including claims that Epstein routinely used knowledge of powerful people’s wrongdoing or private conduct to coerce or manipulate them, while also saying Gates had no indication of Epstein’s broader crimes. Outlets characterize Gates’ testimony as including both a claim of attempted coercion through personal information and an account of his own limited understanding at the time. The reporting reflects what Gates told lawmakers behind closed doors, without providing corroborating details from other witnesses in these summaries.