Elon Musk and Prince Andrew Named in Newly Released Jeffrey Epstein Files
Billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk and Prince Andrew have been named in newly released documents connected to disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The files, disclosed by Congressional Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, shed light on Epstein’s social and professional circles and include references to high-profile figures across business, politics, and royalty.
What the new Epstein files reveal
The documents, handed over by the Jeffrey Epstein Estate, include a range of records: phone message logs, flight manifests, financial ledgers, and details from Epstein’s daily schedule. They form part of the third batch of files released to the committee and have reignited scrutiny over the late financier’s network of influential contacts.
One entry dated December 6, 2014, makes reference to Musk, reading:
“Reminder: Elon Musk to island Dec. 6 (is this still happening?).”
While the note appears to suggest an invitation to Epstein’s private Caribbean island, Musk has previously stated that although Epstein invited him, he declined the offer and had no relationship with the convicted sex offender. Musk has again been approached for comment following the new release.
In a separate revelation, a flight manifest dated May 12, 2000, listed Prince Andrew as a passenger on a flight from Teterboro, New Jersey, to West Palm Beach, Florida. Epstein and his close associate, Ghislaine Maxwell—later convicted in 2021 for trafficking underage girls—were also on board.
Prince Andrew’s ongoing denials
Prince Andrew, who has long faced questions about his friendship with Epstein, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Buckingham Palace records confirm that Andrew was in the United States at the time. On May 11, 2000, the Palace noted he had flown to New York to attend a reception for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. The records show he returned to the UK on May 15.
Another ledger included in the files references two payments for “massages” for an “Andrew” in February and May of that year. However, the identity of the individual named remains unclear, as no direct evidence links those entries to the Duke of York.
Other high-profile names linked in the documents
The new documents also reference meetings with several prominent figures:
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Peter Thiel, the billionaire investor and PayPal co-founder, was listed for a planned lunch in November 2017.
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Steve Bannon, a former senior advisor to Donald Trump, appeared in Epstein’s schedule for a February 2019 breakfast.
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A note about a tentative breakfast gathering with Bill Gates in December 2014 was also found. Gates previously told the BBC in 2022 that meeting Epstein was “a mistake.”
It is important to note that the files do not suggest these individuals were aware of, or involved in, Epstein’s criminal activities. Instead, they highlight Epstein’s efforts to cultivate relationships with wealthy and influential people worldwide.
Epstein’s criminal history and death
Jeffrey Epstein was first convicted in 2008, reaching a plea deal after accusations that he had molested a 14-year-old girl at his Palm Beach mansion. Despite his conviction, Epstein continued to move in elite circles.
He was arrested again in July 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges, accused of exploiting dozens of underage girls. A month later, Epstein was found dead in a New York jail cell, with authorities ruling it a suicide.
His death sparked widespread conspiracy theories and fueled suspicions about the extent of his powerful connections. The ongoing release of files aims to provide more transparency about the scale of his network.
Political fallout over the release
The files have triggered political clashes in Washington. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee said the documents demonstrate Epstein’s ties to some of the world’s most powerful men.
Sara Guerrero, a spokesperson for the Democrats, urged the U.S. Attorney General to authorize the release of more records:
“It should be clear to every American that Jeffrey Epstein was friends with some of the wealthiest and most influential men in the world. Every new document produced provides vital information as we work to bring justice for the survivors and victims.”
Republicans, however, accused Democrats of politicizing the case, saying their selective release of partial records risks overshadowing the voices of survivors. GOP members of the committee have pledged to make the full set of Epstein files public in due course.
Why this matters
The latest revelations underline the continuing ripple effect of Epstein’s crimes even years after his death. For survivors, every new disclosure represents another step toward accountability, even if justice cannot be fully served. For political and business leaders, the files are a reminder of the reputational risks tied to Epstein’s far-reaching web of connections.
As more files are released, the public will likely see additional names and meetings emerge, raising further questions about how Epstein operated so freely within elite circles for decades—and who may have turned a blind eye.