Bill Gates is scheduled to testify before Congress in the Jeffrey Epstein case on June 10, 2026.
'Challenging Time': Bill Gates Foundation Launches External Probe Weeks Ahead of Billionaire's Epstein Testimony
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has reportedly commissioned an external review of its ties to Jeffrey Epstein weeks before founder Bill Gates is scheduled to testify before Congress on the matter.
The external probe is being carried out in order to ensure the foundation receives a detailed report of its alleged association with the disgraced financier.
It will also help the foundation to examine its policies for new philanthropic partnerships.
Gates Foundation to Slash 500 Positions From Its Workforce
According to a memo obtained by The Wall Street Journal, Gates Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Suzman described 2026 as a "challenging time for our organization in many ways."
The foundation also reportedly announced plans to reduce its workforce by up to 500 positions, or roughly 20% its staff, by 2030 as part of a broader restructuring.
An X post about Bill Gates' alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Suzman says in the memo that the foundation has set a 2026 budget of $9 billion and plans to cap operating expenses at $1.25 billion.
To reach that target, the foundation reportedly plans to cut "up to 500 positions by 2030."
The Gates Foundation CEO said that the first phase of the restructuring would involve laying off 200 of the foundation's 2,375 current staff members by the end of 2027. The foundation is also exploring ways to reduce spending on travel and other expenses.
Suzman says in the memo that the external review would help the foundation develop new philanthropic partnership policies.
"The review is underway, and the foundation expects to receive an update in the summer," the memo reads.
Bill Gates Apologizes to Staff
At a foundation town hall meeting in February 2026, Gates apologized to staff for his association with Epstein, according to a separate Wall Street Journal report.
He addressed his connection with the late s*x offender and “took responsibility for his actions.”
Moreover, he acknowledged having had affairs with two Russian women who were later discovered to have connections to Epstein.
He clarified that the women were not Epstein victims and said, “I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit.”
He added, “To be clear I never spent any time with victims, the women around him.”
Gates said he regretted spending time with Epstein and bringing Gates Foundation executives into meetings with him.
"I apologize to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made," he said.
Gates has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein and has denied any involvement. He is scheduled to testify before Congress on June 10, 2026.
According to the BBC, a Gates Foundation spokesperson said that Gates took the initiative to answer questions in support of the investigation.
"Bill spoke candidly, addressing several questions in detail," the Gates Foundation said in a statement.