Because one or more MIT employees might have been doing something for Epstein and/or his handlers in return for the money...?
Must be. For example, Epstein “convinced” Gates to donate to the lab instead of Epstein donating because they couldn’t take Epstein’s money directly. OK. But why didn’t he just leave it st that? Lab got the money, everyone should be happy. But for some reason he wanted them to know that he directed the donation even though that caused a huge issue for them because they needed to cover up Epstein’s involvement.
But if his involvement was problematic why did he tell them at all? Clearly he needs them to unofficially note his involvement so he would get credit. That’s what you would do if your kid was applying to MIT and you wanted full credit to help support the application. But he didn’t have kids so what was he getting?