The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has launched an independent investigation into its past dealings with Jeffrey Epstein, the global health philanthropy confirmed Wednesday, as newly released Justice Department documents intensify scrutiny on its co-founder, Bill Gates.
The review, ordered by CEO Mark Suzman with backing from Gates and the foundation’s independent board, marks the organization’s most concrete effort to reckon with associations that have shadowed its work combating maternal mortality and infectious diseases. The Wall Street Journal first reported the internal memo detailing the probe.
“In March, with the support of our chair, Bill Gates, and our independent Governing Board members, Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman commissioned an external review to assess past foundation engagement with Epstein, and our current policies for vetting and developing new philanthropic partnerships,” the foundation said in a statement.
Document Trail Raises Questions
The Justice Department files include email exchanges between Gates and Epstein discussing charitable projects, calendar entries documenting in-person meetings, and photographs of Gates at events both men attended. Gates has not been accused of any criminal conduct related to Epstein and maintains their interactions were limited to philanthropic discussions.
The foundation previously acknowledged that “a small number” of employees met with Epstein based on his “claims that he could mobilize significant philanthropic resources for global health and development.” It said no fund was ever created and no payments were made to Epstein. “The foundation regrets having any employees interact with Epstein in any way,” the organization stated in February.
These disclosures come as the foundation navigates a period of structural change. In January, it announced plans to cap operating costs and eliminate up to 500 positions—roughly 20 percent of its workforce—by 2030. That restructuring follows last year’s decision to wind down the foundation entirely by 2045, earlier than originally planned.
Buffett Watches Closely
Warren Buffett, one of the foundation’s earliest and most generous backers, is closely monitoring developments. The Berkshire Hathaway CEO, who stepped down as a foundation trustee in 2021, told CNBC last month that the Epstein files made clear “there was a lot I didn’t know.”
Buffett has completed his annual donation of Berkshire shares, but said he will “wait and see what unfolds” as more documents are released and Congress holds hearings. He noted the foundation’s $86 billion endowment and said Gates “has plenty of his own money.”
“So, in any event, I’ll just wait and see. And there’s three and a half million, or whatever it is pages—I mean, it is astounding,” Buffett said.
A Gates Foundation spokesperson called Buffett “an extraordinarily generous partner” for nearly two decades. “We are deeply grateful for his support, which has enabled us to accelerate progress on some of the world’s toughest challenges that would not otherwise have been possible,” the spokesperson said.
The foundation’s board and management are expected to receive an update on the Epstein review this summer. The names of the third-party investigators have not been disclosed.
The Epstein probe has also drawn attention on Capitol Hill, where House Oversight Democrats have accused Republicans of stalling the investigation by canceling formal hearings. Meanwhile, GOP divisions have emerged over the value of pursuing the Epstein matter further.
