Elon Musk's Ties to Jeffrey Epstein Explained
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Elon Musk accused Donald Trump's administration of withholding the Epstein files because the president allegedly is named in the files after their feud escalated this week. Musk, like Trump and other wealthy individuals in the business community, also had some ties to the well-connected financier.
Newsweek reached out to Musk for comment via Tesla's press email.
Why It Matters
Trump indicated on the campaign trail he could release the documents related to Epstein, who was arrested in July 2019 on charges of sex trafficking and died by suicide in a New York federal jail a month later while awaiting trial. Epstein's former girlfriend and associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, was sentenced in 2022 for aiding Epstein in the trafficking of minors and is serving a 20-year prison sentence.
However, the release of these files has been limited so far, leading to some criticism. Musk alleged the reason for the slow release is because Trump is allegedly in the files himself. While Trump is mentioned in some of the previously released court documents on Epstein, he has not been accused of wrongdoing.
What Did Elon Musk Say About the Epstein Files?
Musk made his accusation in a post to X Thursday afternoon, writing, "Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!"
Elon Musk attends a House Republicans Conference in Washington, D.C. on November 13, 2024.
Elon Musk attends a House Republicans Conference in Washington, D.C. on November 13, 2024.
Allison Robbert-Pool/Getty Images
He did not provide more context about how Trump's name is allegedly in the files, nor did he post evidence to back up that claim.
Elon Musk's Ties to Jeffrey Epstein: What We Know
Musk had some ties to Epstein, but he has never been implicated in any crimes or accused of wrongdoing.
Musk confirmed in 2019 remarks to Vanity Fair that he once visited Epstein's New York City residence.
"Several years ago, I was at his house in Manhattan for about 30 minutes in the middle of the afternoon with Talulah [Riley], as she was curious about meeting this strange person for a novel she was writing," he told the publication. "We did not see anything inappropriate at all, apart from weird art. He tried repeatedly to get me to visit his island. I declined."
Talulah Riley, Musk's ex-wife, also shared that account in a 2020 post to X. She wrote it was "possible I was briefly introduced to [Maxwell], but not in any way that I can remember."
"Elon and I met thousands of people over the course of our relationship. There will be countless photos of Elon with people he doesn't know/happened to be stood next to at a party," she wrote.
Musk has also dismissed a widely-circulated photograph of him with Maxwell at a March 2014 Vanity Fair Oscars party as a "photobomb." There are no other public photographs of the two.
"Don't know Ghislaine at all. She photobombed me once at a Vanity Fair party several years ago. Real question is why VF invited her in the first place," he wrote in a 2020 post to X.
In 2019, a Musk spokesperson denied rumors that Epstein had advised Musk after he announced plans to take Tesla private. His spokesperson told the newspaper, "It is incorrect to say that Epstein ever advised Elon on anything."
What People Are Saying
Trump wrote on Truth Social: "I don't mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago. This is one of the Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress. It's a Record Cut in Expenses, $1.6 Trillion Dollars, and the Biggest Tax Cut ever given. If this Bill doesn't pass, there will be a 68% Tax Increase, and things far worse than that. I didn't create this mess, I'm just here to FIX IT. This puts our Country on a Path of Greatness. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
Elon Musk's father Errol Musk told Al Arabiya: "I did send him a message...telling him, make sure this fizzles out."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Newsweek on Thursday: "This is an unfortunate episode from Elon, who is unhappy with the One Big Beautiful Bill because it does not include the policies he wanted. The President is focused on passing this historic piece of legislation and making our country great again."
What Happens Next
The fallout between Trump and Musk remains unresolved as of Friday afternoon, though the feud has become quiet since Thursday. Many are speculating about what could happen next, but it's unclear when they may meet again to try to reconcile.
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