By Trendsetter Tribune 
In her most candid interview since the January 2026 release of millions of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, Melinda French Gates appeared on the NPR podcast Wild Card on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. She addressed the shocking allegations involving her ex-husband, Bill Gates, that have reignited public scrutiny and brought “muck” back to the surface of their high-profile divorce.
Key Highlights from the Interview
- “Painful Memories”: Melinda admitted the new details from the DOJ release dredged up “memories of some very, very painful times” in her marriage, describing the experience as one of “unbelievable sadness.”
- Shifting Accountability: She was clear that the responsibility to explain these associations lies solely with Bill. “Whatever questions remain there… those questions are for those people and for even my ex-husband,” she told host Rachel Martin. “They need to answer to those things, not me.”
- Prioritizing the Victims: Melinda emphasized her compassion for the young women Epstein victimized. She expressed a desire for justice for the survivors, noting that while she is “relieved to be away from the muck,” she remains devastated for the girls who were trapped in Epstein’s network.
The Explosive New Allegations
The DOJ’s late-January document dump—totaling over 3.5 million pages—included draft emails written by Epstein in July 2013 that contained lurid and unsubstantiated claims:
- The “STI” Allegations: Epstein’s emails alleged that Bill Gates contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI) after encounters with “Russian girls” and sought Epstein’s help to obtain antibiotics.
- Surreptitious Medication: Most shockingly, Epstein claimed Gates implored him to provide medication so he could secretly give it to Melinda without her knowledge—a claim Bill Gates’ team has called a total fabrication.
- Marital Discord: Epstein’s writings portrayed him as a “facilitator” during a period of “severe marital dispute” between the couple.
Bill Gates’ Official Response
Representatives for Bill Gates have issued a blistering denial, describing the claims as “absolutely absurd and completely false.” * Epstein’s Motivation: His spokesperson stated the documents merely reflect Epstein’s “frustration” at his inability to maintain a relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to “entrap and defame” him.
- A “Grave Error”: Gates has previously acknowledged meeting Epstein for philanthropic purposes, calling it a “huge mistake” and “quite stupid.”