Newly released documents from the Jeffrey Epstein files are raising fresh questions about Epstein’s involvement in high-level discussions on pandemic preparedness and emerging technologies—years before the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the world.
An email dated March 3, 2017, sent by Epstein and addressed directly to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, outlines a series of proposed initiatives touching on public health, national security, and advanced technology. The correspondence predates the COVID-19 outbreak by nearly three years and suggests Epstein was positioning himself as a facilitator or coordinator in discussions involving pandemic simulations and related research.
The email, sent under the subject line “bgc3 deliveries and scope,” opens with the salutation “Bill” and references follow-up work after a prior meeting between Epstein and Gates. In it, Epstein describes efforts involving a group of collaborators and lists five primary areas of focus.
One of those areas is pandemic simulation, including the development of technical specifications and tracking recommendations for potential pandemic strains. Other topics extend beyond public health and into national security territory. Epstein references work on neurotechnological applications, including a proposed white paper examining how emerging neurotechnologies could be used within intelligence and defense contexts.
The correspondence also discusses digital health data systems, specifically the use of “zero-knowledge proof” technologies to improve access to personal health information while maintaining data security. Additional sections reference neurotechnological approaches to chronic and degenerative diseases, as well as a comprehensive analysis of consumer health expenditures in the United States.
In the email, Epstein writes that he is working with several individuals—identified only by first names—on the outputs of these projects. He concludes by thanking Gates for the opportunity and stating that he is “ready to help in any way.”
The documents add to the record of Epstein’s interactions with Gates, which Gates has previously acknowledged while downplaying their scope and significance. Although skepticism continues to grow that Gates has been completely upfront with the public about the nature of his relationship with the convicted pedophile and human trafficker. The Gates Foundation has long been involved in global health initiatives, including vaccine development and pandemic preparedness, though Gates has denied any wrongdoing or improper collaboration with Epstein.
The emergence of this correspondence is drawing renewed scrutiny because of its timing. Pandemic simulations and preparedness exercises became a major focus of global health institutions after 2020, but these 2017 emails shows that such discussions were already underway among elite figures well before COVID-19 emerged, leaving many to wonder if this was a plan-demic or pandemic.
These emails are also expected to fuel conspiracy theories over how early pandemic planning occurred and who was involved in shaping those discussions. Since 2020, public trust in global health institutions has eroded amid concerns about transparency, conflicts of interest, and the outsized role of private individuals in public policy (here’s looking at you Bill Gates). While these emails do not prove illegal activity was taking place, they underscore Epstein’s access to high-level, sensitive information and influential decision-makers.