Much more likely is that Epstein had dirt on Gates and/or connections Gates wanted.
And if someone commits a crime then the courts determine an appropriate punishment and that is the end of what gets called 'wrong'.
I'm on board if you don't want to talk to convicted paedophiles - seems reasonable to me - but being judgemental of someone else's relationships is not fair.
I swear we're going to have to relearn all of the lessons we learned over the centuries of developing civil society, all in the name of some strange utopian perfectionism we're putting on every popular person. Mob justice is rarely good justice.
The Gates case is more complicated, as you mentioned, but the general trend is worrying and I personally wouldn't public tell people I met with Epstein either.
When it comes to courts, absolutely.
When it comes to making a judgement call (and also associating with people), it's expected.
You make a choice who you maintain relationships with. You can, and will be judged by the choices you make.