Elon Musk Fires Back at Epstein Island Claims
Elon Musk, 2022. U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley. Public domain.
Elon Musk is reportedly pushing back hard against recent reports linking him to Jeffrey Epstein's notorious private island, insisting he never set foot there despite his name appearing in newly released documents. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO took to X, formerly Twitter, to slam what he called "utterly misleading" headlines and to deny any visit to Epstein's Little St. James island, as reported by The Daily Beast, a claim that has stirred fresh controversy amid ongoing political tensions.
Musk's Fiery Denial
The latest batch of Epstein files, released by Democratic lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee, includes a note from 2014 that reads, "Reminder: Elon Musk to island Dec. 6 (is this still happening?)," as reported by The Daily Beast — suggesting a possible trip to Epstein's private retreat in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The documents do not confirm whether Musk actually made the trip, but the mere mention of his name has reignited speculation about his ties to the disgraced financier.
Musk responded swiftly and sharply, accusing media outlets of pushing a false narrative. He wrote on X that Epstein had tried to get him to visit the island, but he "REFUSED," and criticized the decision to name him before Prince Andrew, who is known to have visited, as reported by the Daily Beast. Musk said anyone "pushing this false narrative deserves complete contempt."
This was not Musk's first public statement on the matter. In 2019, shortly after Epstein's arrest, Musk told Vanity Fair that he had visited Epstein's Manhattan townhouse for about 30 minutes several years earlier but called Epstein "obviously a creep" and reiterated that he declined invitations to the island, according to The Daily Beast.
The Documents and Their Context
The files released by the House Oversight Committee include a range of names connected to Epstein, including high-profile figures such as Prince Andrew, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, PayPal founder Peter Thiel, and Steve Bannon, former chief strategist to President Donald Trump. Prince Andrew's name appears as a passenger on Epstein's private jet, and financial disclosures show payments to him for "Massage, Exercise, Yoga," as reported by Business Standard.
The note about Musk's potential island visit is part of a 2014 diary entry from Epstein, six years after Epstein was listed as a registered sex offender. The entry's phrasing — "Is this still happening?" — leaves the actual trip's occurrence unclear. Democratic lawmakers have indicated that more files will be released once redactions are completed.
Musk's Pushback and Political Undercurrents
Musk's denial comes amid a broader political backdrop where Epstein disclosures have become a tool for partisan battles. Musk has previously accused the Trump administration of concealing information about the president's alleged connections to Epstein. Earlier this year, Musk posted and then deleted claims that Trump's name appeared in Epstein files, later apologizing for going "too far," as reported by Business Standard.
The tension between Musk and Trump has been publicly visible, with Musk criticizing Trump's handling of Epstein-related disclosures and demanding transparency. Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell even suggested Musk's outing of Trump in the files might have provoked retaliation, asking Musk what he knew about Trump's involvement, as reported by Business Standard.
Socialite Connections and Public Appearances
Adding to the intrigue, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's convicted accomplice, mentioned meeting Musk during a multi-day stay on a Caribbean island for Google co-founder Sergey Brin's birthday in 2010 or 2011. She also recalled seeing Musk at a Vanity Fair Oscars party in 2014, where a photo captured them together. Musk has dismissed any deeper connection, saying Maxwell "photobombed" him at the event and questioning why Vanity Fair would invite her in the first place, as reported by The Daily Beast.
Maxwell did not indicate any close relationship between Epstein and Musk but noted that emails between the two men were uncovered during legal discovery.
The Broader Epstein File Fallout
The release of these files continues to expose a web of connections involving some of the world's most powerful figures. Alongside Musk and Prince Andrew, other notable names include Peter Thiel and Steve Bannon, both of whom have been linked to Epstein in various ways. The files have become a political flashpoint, with bipartisan efforts underway to mandate full disclosure in the Epstein case.
As the public digests these revelations, Musk's forceful denials and pointed criticisms highlight the challenges of navigating association by proximity in such a high-profile scandal. His insistence on refusing Epstein's island invitations and distancing himself from the financier's darkest deeds underscores the complexity of the Epstein saga's ongoing fallout.
Whether Musk's name will continue to surface in future disclosures remains to be seen, but for now, he is making it clear that any suggestion of his involvement with Epstein's island is categorically false.
The Epstein files saga is far from over, and as more documents come to light, the stories of those named will continue to unfold under intense public scrutiny.
References: Furious Elon Musk Finally Addresses Why He's in New Epstein Files | Epstein tried to get me on his island, 'I refused', claims Elon Musk | Elon Musk and Prince Andrew named in latest Epstein files release | US News
