What you need to know
Elon Musk corresponded with Jeffrey Epstein about multiple visits to the sex trafficker’s Caribbean island, and emails were included in the latest batch of files released in connection with the Epstein investigation, it has been revealed.
These messages and other new documents regarding the Epstein file were released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday, January 30th.
In an email exchange between Mr. Musk, 54, and Mr. Epstein in November 2012, the tech mogul was asked how many people he intended to take to the island by helicopter.
“It’s probably just Talulah and I,” Musk said, referring to his then-partner, actress Talulah Riley.
“What day is the wildest party on your island?” Musk then asked.
Fabrice Coffrini/AFP (via Getty)
In another email exchange in December 2013, Musk wrote, “I’m planning to stay in the BVU/St. Barts area for the holidays. Is there a good time to visit?” according to the released files.
Epstein replied, “Anytime from the 1st to the 8th. Listen if you want. I’ll always have some space for you.”
It is unclear whether the visit being discussed actually took place. Musk has previously denied ever visiting Epstein’s island.
Additional email exchanges from 2012 show that Mr. Epstein asked Mr. Musk whether SolarCity, a company with close ties to the Tesla founder and eventually acquired in 2016, could power his island or his New Mexico ranch.
In recently released documents, Musk wrote that he contacted a SolarCity representative to inquire about the request.
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In a post on X on Saturday, Jan. 31, Musk referenced the emails published in the Justice Department release, calling them “distracting.” The emails do not suggest any wrongdoing by Musk.
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“The point is not to release parts of Epstein’s files, but rather to prosecute those who committed heinous crimes alongside Epstein,” he wrote.
Musk added: “If there had been at least one arrest, some justice would have been done. If not, this is all staged. It’s nothing but a distraction.”
“I have never been to an Epstein party and have repeatedly called for the prosecution of those who committed crimes with Epstein,” Musk said in another post.
A representative for Musk did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Saturday, January 31st.
Back in 2016, Musk claimed in an email to Vanity Fair that he had never been to Epstein’s island, despite repeated invitations. He also told the outlet that Epstein was “obviously a freak.”
“A few years ago, I was with Talulah at[Epstein’s]house in Manhattan for about 30 minutes in the middle of the afternoon, because Talulah was interested in meeting this strange person for a novel she was writing. Other than some weird art, we didn’t see anything inappropriate at all. He tried many times to let me go to his island, but I refused,” Musk added.
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Musk also disputed claims that he introduced Epstein to Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, saying, “I have no recollection of introducing Epstein to anyone.”
He also wrote to the magazine that he “doesn’t know the person well enough” to do so.
Epstein was arrested in July 2019 and charged with sex trafficking of minors. A month later, he died of an apparent suicide while awaiting trial at New York City’s Metropolitan Correctional Center.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual abuse, please text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line (741-741). Connect with a certified crisis counselor.
