local
Bill Gates told Congress he suspected Jeffrey Epstein ‘contemplated blackmailing' him over affairs
By Raquel Coronell Uribe and Kyle Stewart | NBC News at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS)
· June 23, 2026
· 2 min read
Billionaire Bill Gates told the House Oversight Committee this month that he believed Jeffrey Epstein “contemplated blackmailing” him over extramarital affairs, according to a transcript of the Microsoft co-founder’s interview released Tuesday.
“He never blackmailed me, but looking at these em...
Key takeaway “He never blackmailed me, but looking at these emails, it raises a serious probability that he contemplated blackmailing me,” Gates told lawmakers on June 10 as part of the committee’s probe into the late convicted sex offender.
Why this matters in The Trophy Club
The revelation that Bill Gates suspected Jeffrey Epstein of contemplating blackmail over extramarital affairs raises questions about the judgment of influential individuals who interact with convicted offenders. In the context of Trophy Club , a community that values transparency and accountability, this story serves as a reminder to local leaders to be mindful of the company they keep and the potential consequences of their associations. As a suburb in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Trophy Club residents expect their leaders to demonstrate integrity and sound judgment, particularly when it comes to interactions with individuals who have a history of illicit behavior. The fact that Gates acknowledged meeting Epstein despite knowing about his criminal conviction highlights the need for local officials to prioritize due diligence and careful consideration when engaging with others, ensuring that their actions reflect the values and expectations of the community they serve.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) . The Trophy Club surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Trophy Club stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Billionaire Bill Gates told the House Oversight Committee this month that he believed Jeffrey Epstein “contemplated blackmailing” him over extramarital affairs, according to a transcript of the Microsoft co-founder’s interview released Tuesday.
“He never blackmailed me, but looking at these em...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) and curated for The Trophy Club readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Raquel Coronell Uribe and Kyle Stewart | NBC News at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS). To learn more about how The Trophy Club selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Trophy Club, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter