Elon Musk reacts to Melinda French Gates interview on Bill Gates getting STD from 'Russian girls'

Elon Musk's reaction came after Melinda French Gates said that the resurfacing of Epstein-linked records had dredged up 'very, very painful times' from her marriage to Bill Gates whom she divorced in 2021 after 27 years. (Image credit: AFP)

Tesla chief executive and the richest person in the world, Elon Musk, reacted tersely to fresh comments by Melinda French Gates on her ex‑husband Bill Gates’s alleged links to Jeffrey Epstein and claims of the billionaire having contracted sexually transmitted diseases (STD) while cheating on her with "Russian girls". The Epstein files also stated that Gates planned to secretly medicate her. Sharing a clip from her interview on X, Musk respondedwith a single word: “wow”.

The reaction came after Melinda French Gates told NPR’s Wild Card podcast that the resurfacing of Epstein-linked records had dredged up “very, very painful times” from her marriage to the Microsoft co‑founder, with whom she divorced in 2021 after 27 years. She said she felt “unbelievable sadness” about the allegations and that individuals named in the newly released documents must answer questions themselves.

“I am so happy to be away from all the muck,” she said, referring to the renewed scrutiny around Epstein’s network and those associated with him.

Wow https://t.co/hnvFRr6y2q

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 3, 2026

French Gates’s comments followed the release of more than three million documents by the US Department of Justice relating to the late financier and convicted sex offender. Among them are emails allegedly drafted by Epstein that make claims about Bill Gates contracting STD after encounters with “Russian girls”.

The Microsoft co-founder has strongly denied the allegations, calling them “absolutely absurd” and “completely false”, and has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein’s victims. His representatives said the documents reflect Epstein’s frustration and attempts to defame him after their relationship ended.

Musk also named in Epstein files

Musk has also been named in the Epstein files. Recently released documents include multiple email exchanges between Epstein and Musk between 2012 and 2013, in which Epstein invited Musk to visit his private island in the US Virgin Islands and discussed travel logistics. While the correspondence suggests Musk considered scheduling a visit, there is no confirmation that any trip took place.

The Tesla CEO has repeatedly denied ever visiting Epstein’s island or attending his parties. On X earlier this week, he said he had “never been on his ‘Lolita Express’ plane” and had “never set foot on his creepy island”. He added that Epstein had tried to persuade him to visit and that he had refused.

In a separate post, Musk argued that despite knowing he would be “smeared relentlessly,” he had pushed for the full release of the Epstein files and accountability for offenders, accusing critics of deflection and counter‑accusations.

Epstein's 2008 conviction and death

The Justice Department release, which came weeks after a statutory deadline, has sparked renewed scrutiny of Epstein’s extensive network of business leaders, politicians, and celebrities -- some of whom maintained contact with him even after his 2008 conviction for soliciting sex from a minor.

Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex‑trafficking charges.