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Melinda French Gates: Ex-Husband Bill Must ‘Answer’ for Epstein Allegations

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The latest batch of Epstein documents name-dropped some of the world’s most infamous villains.

It also mentioned noted philanthropist Bill Gates.

His ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, is responding.

She feels profound pain — for the alleged betrayal of their marriage and of her, but also for the many Epstein victims.

Melinda French Gates on NPR in February 2026.
Speaking to NPR, Melinda French Gates offered a nuanced and emotional response to the allegations that mention her ex-husband. (Image Credit: YouTube)

‘Some very, very painful times in my marriage’

On Tuesday, February 3, French Gates sat down with NPR’s Wild Card podcast.

She addressed multiple topics with host Rachel Martin, but ultimately had to address the elephant in the room.

Martin even phrased it that way when she brought up French Gates’ ex-husband, Bill Gates, and the latest release of Epstein documents.

The documents contain allegations that her ex engaged in multiple extramarital affairs and contracted an STI — and sought medication, and made plans to secretly administer the treatment without French Gates’ knowledge.

Obviously, the documents also contain many horrific accounts of crimes committed by rich and powerful men against women and girls. But these communications featuring her ex of 27 years are obviously very personal.

French Gates acknowledged that the reporting reminded her of low moments from her erstwhile marriage.

She admitted that she feels “so happy to be away from all the muck that was there.”

She expressed: “It’s personally hard whenever those details come up, right? Because it brings back memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage.”

French Gates affirmed: “I have moved on from that. I purposely pushed it away and I moved on.”

However, she remains very much aware that, her ex-husband’s alleged affairs with Russian women aside, she is not the center of this story.

Bill Gates in September 2025.
Bill Gates speaks onstage at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum 2025 at The Plaza Hotel on September 24, 2025. (Photo Credit: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Bloomberg Philanthropies)

‘I hope there’s some justice’

“I’m able to take my own sadness and look at those young girls and say, ‘My God, how did that happen to those girls?’” French Gates remarked, centering the conversation upon the primary victims.

She reflected upon how she can so easily remember being the ages of these girls.

“I had to leave my marriage. I wanted to leave my marriage,” she acknowledged. “At least for me, I’ve been able to move on in life.”

French Gates then affirmed: “And I hope there’s some justice for those now-women.”

That would be nice. They certainly deserve justice.

However, history tends to indicate that evil, powerful men can do almost anything and get away with it.

And Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign seems to have primarily been motivated by his desire to avoid prison.

When it comes to the allegations from these countless women, French Gates expressed feelings of “unbelievable sadness.”

She added: “Whatever questions remain there… are for those people and for my ex-husband, they need to answer to those things, not me.”

That is certainly true. Women are not responsible for the alleged crimes of their husbands, let alone their ex-husbands.

Bill Gates and Melinda Gates on September 26, 2018.
Bill Gates and his wife Melinda Gates introduce the Goalkeepers event at the Lincoln Center on September 26, 2018. (Photo Credit: LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Epstein is, famously, not around to offer clarity on the powerful men implicated in his crimes

For what it’s worth, a spokesperson for Bill Gates has claimed that the allegations against the man are “completely false.”

Rather, the spokesperson called the mentions of Gates within the documents proof that Jeffrey Epstein was plotting “to entrap and defame” wealthy, famous acquaintances.

It is of course possible that one of the world’s most infamous dead pedophiles, who was apparently plotting the downfall of civilization much as it seems to be playing out, was also a liar.

We do not know if he was lying or telling the truth or somewhere in between in these documents.

However, we can all understand how French Gates must be feeling in this moment. We can also hope for justice for all of the Epstein victims, alive or dead.

Melinda French Gates: Ex-Husband Bill Must ‘Answer’ for Epstein Allegations was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

​The Hollywood Gossip

Categories
Food

The Costco Dairy Item That Shoppers Say Make The Membership Worth It

A Costco membership offers a wide range of benefits, but for many, the annual fee is justified by the savings on a single high-quality dairy product.

​Food Republic – Restaurants, Reviews, Recipes, Cooking Tips

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Entertainment

13 Years Ago Food Network Dropped Paula Deen: Here’s What She’s Been Doing Quietly Since

Paula Deen’s rise to fame was only eclipsed by her shambolic fall from grace. That was over a decade ago – and the former TV chef is hardly hiding in shame.

​Mashed – Fast Food, Celebrity Chefs, Grocery, Reviews

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Politics

Pirro appears to walk back threats to arrest gun owners in DC

D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro appeared to walk back a previous threat to arrest anyone who brings a gun to Washington amid an uproar from Second Amendment groups.

The backtrack came after Pirro’s initial comments sparked fierce criticism from GOP members of Congress and gun rights advocates. It’s the latest in a series of statements from the administration that have rankled many in the party’s pro-Second Amendment base.

“I don’t care if you have a license in another district, and I don’t care if you’re a law-abiding gun owner somewhere else — you bring a gun into this district, count on going to jail, and hope you get the gun back” Pirro said during a Monday appearance on Fox News, where she previously hosted the show “Justice with Judge Jeanine.”

But less than 24 hours later, Pirro attempted to reframe her earlier comments, writing in a social media post that she is “a proud supporter of the Second Amendment.”

“Washington, D.C. law requires handguns be licensed in the District with the Metropolitan Police Department to be carried into our community,” she wrote in a Tuesday morning post on X. “We are focused on individuals who are unlawfully carrying guns and will continue building on that momentum to keep our communities safe.”

She also referenced the response in a video posted to her social media page, acknowledging that “some people are concerned about something I said yesterday” before further clarifying her position.

The conservative National Association for Gun Rights swiftly came out in opposition to Pirro’s stance, calling her remarks “unacceptable and intolerable comments by a sitting US attorney.”

Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, one of the administration’s most frequent critics in the House GOP Conference, also denounced Pirro, writing on social media: “Why is a ‘conservative’ judge threatening to arrest gun owners?” Reps. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), Chip Roy (R-Texas) and Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) criticized the U.S. attorney, too, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said “Second Amendment rights are not extinguished just because an American visits DC.”

Washington does not recognize concealed carry permits from other states, and local law requires all firearms in the district to be registered with local police.

John Commerford, executive director of the National Rifle Association’s legislative arm, said Pirro’s remarks “highlight the need for Congress to pass H.R. 38, the National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.” That bill, introduced last year by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), would allow anyone with a state-issued concealed carry license to carry a firearm in any other state.

“Law-abiding citizens’ right to self-defense should not end simply because they crossed a state line or entered Washington, D.C.,” Commerford said in a statement to POLITICO.

The backlash to Pirro’s comments comes as the Trump administration faces uproar from Second Amendment advocates for its rhetoric following the killing of U.S. citizen Alex Pretti by federal immigration enforcement officers in Minneapolis.

Just days after the fatal shooting, President Donald Trump criticized Pretti for carrying a firearm, saying: “I don’t like that he had a gun.”

Other members of the administration also disparaged Pretti, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt contending that carrying a weapon raises “the assumption of risk” during interactions with law enforcement and FBI Director Kash Patel saying “you cannot bring a firearm loaded with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want.”

Those remarks triggered fury from Second Amendment groups like the NRA, which called federal prosecutor Bill Essayli’s response to the shooting “dangerous and wrong.” The rhetoric has also fueled concern that the administration could be harming the GOP’s chances of defending its slim majority in Congress in this fall’s midterm elections.

​Politics

Categories
Music

What’s Next For Kelly Clarkson After Leaving Her Show?

Some fans hoped that leaving ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’ would give Clarkson time to mount a full tour. But that doesn’t seem to be in the cards — in fact, she seems to be taking a step out of the spotlight. Continue reading…​The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs

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Music

What’s Next For Kelly Clarkson After Leaving Her Show?

Some fans hoped that leaving ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’ would give Clarkson time to mount a full tour. But that doesn’t seem to be in the cards — in fact, she seems to be taking a step out of the spotlight. Continue reading…​Country Music News – Taste of Country

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Health

Gov. Tim Walz’s ‘Salad’ Recipe Is Sugar Overload

If you’re looking for a healthy, low-calorie salad, Tim Walz’s Midwest-style recipe may not be for you. It is, without a doubt, pure sugar overload.

​Health Digest – Health News, Wellness, Expert Insights

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Food

‘This Is A Weekly Must Have’: The Heat-And-Eat Pot Roast Walmart Customers Love

Keep this Walmart find in mind next time you’re in the mood for pot roast; it comes pre-packaged with au jus and a savory sauce for an easy, flavorful meal.

​Food Republic – Restaurants, Reviews, Recipes, Cooking Tips

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Entertainment

Erika Kirk Posts Heartbreaking Tribute to Late Husband as She Demands Transparency In …

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Nearly five months after Charlie Kirk’s murder, his widow, Erika Kirk, continues to make headlines.

In fact, she might be more visible than ever.

Last month, Erika launched her thirty-city US tour, and this week, she’s making her presence known both on Instagram and in the legal sector.

Erika Kirk accepts the inaugural Charlie Kirk Legacy Award onstage during the 2025 Fox Nation Patriot Awards at Tilles Center for the Performing Arts on November 06, 2025 in Greenvale, New York.
Erika Kirk accepts the inaugural Charlie Kirk Legacy Award onstage during the 2025 Fox Nation Patriot Awards at Tilles Center for the Performing Arts on November 06, 2025 in Greenvale, New York. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)

We learned today that Erika has made a new request of the judge who will preside over the trial of Tyler Robinosn, the man accused of murdering Charlie.

In court papers obtained by TMZ, Erika and her lawyers insisted that “any request to close court proceedings from the public eye should be denied.”

It seems that Erika wants the trial to play out as publicly as possible, which makes sense.

After all, her husband was a public figure, and video of his death had circulated all over the world and been viewed tens of millions of times within hours of the murder.

Erika Kirk, the wife of the late conservative activist and media personality Charlie Kirk, attends the swearing-in ceremony of U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor in the Oval Office of the White House on November 10, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Erika Kirk, the wife of the late conservative activist and media personality Charlie Kirk, attends the swearing-in ceremony of U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor in the Oval Office of the White House on November 10, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The judge might draw the line at cameras in the courtroom, but he’ll likely agree that the unusual circumstances necessitate transparency during the trial.

This is not the first time that Erika and her legal team have filed documents pertaining to Robinson’s trial.

She previously criticized the long delays in Robinson’s court proceedings and noted that as a victim in this case, she too has a constitutionally protected right to a speedy trial.

It’s unclear how the judge responded to that complaint.

Elsewhere this week, Erika paid loving tribute to her late husband in a moving social media post.

“I relive you in a thousand quiet ways. Especially in these DC memories from a year ago…it’s weird even typing out that this was a year ago. I replay it all,” Erika captioned a collage of photos and videos from January of 2025, when she and Charlie attended the inauguration of Donald Trump.

“The way you love our babies, how we soaked in every moment for the season you worked so hard for, and the quiet moments of just the way we looked at each other when words weren’t needed because the depth of love was so felt,” she continued, adding:

“It just loops like a sacred film. And I find myself reliving the past, not to stay there, but to rewitness God’s humbling grace…a living testimony that the Lord was faithful then, and He is faithful still.”

Erika Kirk, widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, speaks during a Turning Point USA event where U.S. Vice President JD Vance is expected, at the Pavilion at Ole Miss at the University of Mississippi, on October 29, 2025 in Oxford, Mississippi.
Erika Kirk, widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, speaks during a Turning Point USA event where U.S. Vice President JD Vance is expected, at the Pavilion at Ole Miss at the University of Mississippi, on October 29, 2025 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Ernst-Pool/Getty Images)

Not surprisingly, the post was promptly flooded with supportive comments, some of them from Erika’s celebrity friends.

“I love you so so much! Charlie is so proud of you,” wrote Savannah Chrisley, whose parents were recently pardoned by Trump.

“He was truly the best of us,” another user wrote.

“We miss him so much,” a third chimed in.

Erika Kirk Posts Heartbreaking Tribute to Late Husband as She Demands Transparency In … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

​The Hollywood Gossip

Categories
Music

Chris Stapleton Gives A Nod To His Iconic National Anthem Performance In Super Bowl LX Commercial

Chris Stapleton is set to star in in Sazerac’s first-ever Super Bowl commercial for Traveller Blended Whiskey, the brand he co-created alongside Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. The 30-second national spot will air shortly before kickoff of Super Bowl LX on NBC and Telemundo, placing Traveller in one of the most-watched moments of the year.

Photo Courtesy Chris Stapleton
Photo Courtesy Chris Stapleton

Filmed at Buffalo Trace Distillery, the World’s Most Award-Winning Distillery, the commercial highlights the craftsmanship behind Traveller, a 90-proof blended whiskey that launched in early 2024. Viewers get a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes work that often goes unnoticed, from Stapleton’s preparation before taking the stage to the patience required to make bourbon long before it’s ever poured.

Airing just ahead of the National Anthem, the ad, produced in a partnership between The Shop, Sazerac’s Internal Agency, and Ode Studios, features Stapleton strumming the opening notes of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” This offers a subtle nod to his unforgettable Super Bowl anthem performance of 2023 that captivated audiences nationwide.

During his pre-game preparations, the country music superstar reflects on how every great moment, much like the whiskey he sips, is meant to be savored.

“There’s a time, time spent doing the work that nobody sees, playing the long game. Cause perfect moments don’t just happen, they are made. Traveller whiskey, made for the moment,” he says.

WATCH

Stapleton shares this powerful statement while sipping on a glass of Traveller Blended Whiskey before making his way inside State Farm Stadium in Arizona. The spot ends with black and white snapshots from his memorable time on the field.

This newest campaign marks another step in the whiskey brand’s fast-growing momentum, after becoming Major League Baseball’s first official whiskey this baseball season and having a notable presence at the Daytona 500. Additionally, the brand is gearing up for a major announcement regarding its first line extension, dubbed the Traveller Full Proof.

The big game will take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, where the New England Patriots are set to face off against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on Feb. 8.

The “Tennessee Whiskey” singer will not be making an appearance at the 2026 Super Bowl event, however he has extended his All-American Road Show, adding 20 new dates for the year. His recently added shows will include stops at several major U.S. stadiums, along with additional special guests, including Lainey Wilson and Zach Top on select shows.

A complete list of Chris Stapleton’s live performances for the year can be found HERE

The post Chris Stapleton Gives A Nod To His Iconic National Anthem Performance In Super Bowl LX Commercial appeared first on Country Now.

​Country Now