CNN Host Corners Bill Gates on Epstein ‘Blackmail’ Scandal

CNN Beleaguered billionaire Bill Gates has been grilled over claims that he was targeted for “blackmail” by child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Gates, 70, was mired in controversy after appearing in the Epstein case files.

Among the documents released by the Department of Justice were photos of Gates posing with the late financier, as well as email correspondence between the two men.

The Microsoft co-founder was probed by the House Oversight Committee in June over his links to Epstein, whom he met with around 30 times between 2011 and 2014.

In 2008, Epstein pleaded in Florida to state charges of soliciting a prostitute and procuring a minor for prostitution.

He died in jail in 2019.

Gates appeared on Anderson Cooper 360 on Wednesday to share his concerns about the AI industry not opeing up about the possible risks of the technology.

However, Cooper ended the interview by asking Gates about his connections to Epstein, noting it was his first television appearance since his behind-closed-doors grilling by the House Oversight Committee.

The CNN host asked Gates about the series of “graphic, unverified” allegations Epstein reportedly made in draft emails from 2013 that were never sent.

The billionaire previously admitted to having extramarital affairs with two Russian women, but Epstein’s draft emails alleged he had contracted an STD from the women, and wanted antibiotics to give to his then-wife Melinda.

Gates previously said the sordid allegations in the unsent emails were “false.” “It sounded like he was trying to blackmail you,” Cooper asked of the contents of the draft emails, adding, “Were you aware he was trying to do that?” “No,” Gates said firmly, pointing out how “complicated” the “several hundred pages” of testimony was.

“I didn’t know that he was considering blackmailing me.

Uh, he never did blackmail me, but, you know, it just shows how foolish I was uh, to spend time with him,” Gates said.

He also told Cooper he “really appreciated” the opportunity to answer the House Oversight Committee’s questions about Epstein.