Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates faced pointed questions on CNN Wednesday night, marking his first television appearance since providing testimony to the House Oversight Committee regarding his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In an interview with anchor Anderson Cooper, Gates discussed various topics, including an essay he recently authored on the risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI). However, the conversation quickly shifted to his controversial connection with Epstein.

Cooper wasted no time, diving into the inquiry that has shadowed Gates for years: “What was the extent of your relationship with Epstein? Did you ever interact with any of his victims?”

Gates responded, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to answer all questions posed during his closed-door testimony. “That’s all public,” he stated. “People are curious. I encourage them to look at that.”

During the exchange, Gates emphasized he did not have a social relationship with Epstein and felt “apologetic” for ever giving him a semblance of credibility.

“I didn’t meet any women through him,” Gates insisted. He described his previous interactions with Epstein as a “gigantic mistake,” rooted in what he later recognized as a misguided belief that Epstein could help him garner philanthropic funds for global health initiatives.

Cooper later referenced a series of troubling, unverified allegations against Gates that Epstein purportedly attempted to blackmail him about in July 2013. “Were you aware he was trying to do that?” Cooper asked.

“No,” Gates replied sharply, attempting to clarify the context. “It’s complicated enough that really that’s where, you know, the — what is it — several hundred pages of testimony gets to it, and, you know, I didn’t know that he was considering blackmailing me.”

The billionaire maintained that while he never experienced direct blackmail from Epstein, his past decisions surrounding the relationship remain a source of regret. “It just shows how foolish I was to spend time with him,” Gates added.

The tone turned noticeably cool as the interview approached its conclusion. With his signature calm demeanor, Cooper thanked Gates for his time. Gates responded with a slight nod, but his silence spoke volumes.

The camera lingered on Gates’ expression for several beats, capturing a moment of tension before Cooper’s frown signaled the next transition in the broadcast.

This interview marks only one of several instances where Gates has been scrutinized for his connections to Epstein, a man whose social circle included numerous powerful figures during his lifetime.

Gates’ philanthropic work, particularly in global health, has been instrumental in mitigating diseases and improving healthcare access worldwide. However, his associations have cast a cloud over his legacy.

In recent years, the billionaire founder of Microsoft has striven to distance himself from Epstein, recognizing the damage it has done to both his image and his philanthropic mission.

As the fallout from his association with Epstein continues, observers have noted that Gates has taken steps to redefine his public persona. He actively participates in discussions about pressing global issues like climate change and public health.

The scrutiny surrounding Gates may not let up any time soon. Advocacy groups and the media remain focused on his past, especially as more information surfaces regarding Epstein’s extensive network.

As Gates continues to advocate for transformative solutions to global challenges, the question of how his past will impact his future remains at the forefront of public discourse.

Only time will tell whether Gates can fully extricate himself from the controversial legacy of Jeffrey Epstein and refocus the narrative on his philanthropic efforts.