Headline Roundup • February 2nd, 2026
How Elon Musk Appears in the Latest Epstein Files
Criminal Justice,Investigations,Elon Musk,Jeffrey Epstein,Sexual Misconduct,Politicians,Billionaires,Big Business,Justice Department
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Elon Musk was among many prominent figures to appear in the Justice Department's (DOJ) newly released files on Jeffrey Epstein.
Initial Claims: Sky News (Lean Left bias) released an article in Sept. 2025 titled, "Elon Musk and Prince Andrew named in latest Epstein files release." The article referenced previously released documents on Epstein that "show Musk as a potential visitor to Epstein's island, Little St James, on 6 December 2014 – six years after Epstein became a listed sex offender." It goes on to report that "[Musk's] name appears on what appears to be Epstein's daily schedule, with the entry reading: 'Reminder: Elon Musk to island Dec. 6 (is this still happening?).'" Musk responded to the article on X, stating, "Shame on Sky News for this utterly misleading headline. Anyone pushing this false narrative deserves complete contempt. Epstein tried to get me to go to his island and I REFUSED, yet they name me even before Prince Andrew, who did visit."
New Files: Partially-redacted documents released by the DOJ on Friday appear to exhibit emails directly between Musk and Epstein in which the two discussed plans for Musk to visit Epstein's island. The emails, "Re: Christmas and New Year's," appear to show Musk asking Epstein, "Will be in the BVI/St Bart's area over the holidays. Is there a good time to visit?" on Dec. 13, 2013. Epstein's reply stated, "any day 1st - 8th. play it by ear if you want. always space for you." Other newly released emails show similar exchanges. Whether or not the trip occurred is unclear; however, the documents juxtapose Musk's claims that he "refused" Epstein's invitation, even though the report Musk denied in September references a different time period than what is exhibited in the new release.
For Context: The DOJ released about 3 million documents on Friday, six weeks past its deadline. The documents reveal many exchanges between Epstein, an infamous sex offender, and other prominent figures. They also include files related to Epstein's death in 2019, which was controversially ruled a suicide.
How The Media Covered It: News media across the political spectrum highlighted the unseemly appearance of the email exchanges. Outlets on the left often featured negative mentions of President Donald Trump as well. The New York Times (Lean Left) stated, "The revelations of [Musk and Epstein's] friendly exchanges come after Mr. Musk last year sought to connect President Trump to Mr. Epstein." New York Post (Lean Right) also noted the "brief but fiery falling-out with President Trump" and Musk's comments about Trump's involvement with Epstein, but did so towards the end of its article. Some outlets, such as Forbes (Center), gave voice to Musk's latest defense in calling the documents "misinterpreted" and "a distraction."
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Featured Coverage of this Story
Tech billionaire Elon Musk asked Jeffrey Epstein when he could visit Little St. James — the notorious "Pedo Island" in the Caribbean — early in 2014 but never made it, emails released by the Justice Department show.
On Dec. 13, 2013, the Tesla and SpaceX founder emailed Epstein that his family would "be in the BVI/St Bart's area over the holidays. Is there a good time to visit?"
"[A]ny day [Jan.] 1st-8th," Epstein answered. "[P]lay it by ear if you want. [A]lways space for you."...
Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images
Billionaire Elon Musk called Friday's release of millions of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents "a distraction," writing on X that emails he had sent to the late financier could be "misinterpreted" to smear his name.
Musk said he had "very little correspondence" with Epstein and wrote on X he "declined repeated invitations" to go to Epstein's island, despite emails showing he had been in touch with Epstein in 2012 and 2013, at one point asking him, "What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?"...
Jeffrey Epstein and Elon Musk exchanged multiple messages between 2012 and 2014, comparing their schedules to find time to meet in Florida or in the Caribbean, according to new documents released by the Justice Department on Friday.
"If you find some time, come visit me on my island" in the Caribbean, Mr. Epstein wrote to Mr. Musk on Sept. 25, 2012, urging the billionaire to "bring your friend or friends."
"Sounds good, will try to make it," Mr. Musk replied...
