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A Personal Response: ‘Unbelievable Sadness’ and Painful Memories
On February 3, 2026, Melinda French Gates spoke publicly for the first time in response to the latest Epstein document release during an appearance on NPR’s “Wild Card” podcast.
Her comments, shared in advance of the full interview’s broadcast, underscored the emotional impact of seeing references to her former husband in association with Epstein’s files.
In the interview, she described feeling “unbelievable sadness” — a reaction not rooted in sensationalism, but in the personal context of her past marriage and the painful memories that resurfaced upon seeing the material.
“For me, it’s personally hard whenever those details come up because it brings back memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage,” she said, explaining that questions raised by the files should be answered by those directly involved, including her ex‑husband.
She added that she could not speak to all aspects of the newly public material, saying that she “can’t even begin to know all of it,” and that the responsibility for answering those questions lies with others.
Context: The Latest Epstein Document Release
The massive DOJ release is part of a multi‑stage disclosure process under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which requires the Justice Department to make public the full scope of files related to Epstein’s sex trafficking crimes and network.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the latest release represented an extensive effort involving hundreds of DOJ staff working to review and clear documents for public access.
However, officials also acknowledged that significant portions of the files remain withheld or redacted due to the need to protect sensitive information, including victims’ identities and ongoing legal obligations.
Importantly, being named in the files does not constitute evidence of misconduct or criminal charges. Many references consist of raw investigative leads, draft emails, or documents introduced during the course of inquiries. The Justice Department has warned that the files include unverified material and that context matters when interpreting them.
