Tech billionaire Elon Musk has denied ever visiting the late financier Jeffrey Epstein's island, following reports that his name appeared in newly released
files related to Epstein. Musk, in a post on social media platform X, criticised media coverage, saying: "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." The files, turned over to the House Oversight Committee by Epstein's estate, reportedly show that Musk was invited to Epstein's island in December 2014. They also include references to other prominent figures, including Prince Andrew, internet entrepreneur Peter Thiel, and former White House adviser Steve Bannon. The documents include a flight manifest indicating that the Duke of York was on a flight with Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell from Teterboro, New Jersey, to West Palm Beach, Florida, on 12 May 2000. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of conspiring with Epstein to traffic girls for sex. One heavily redacted ledger contains two references to payments for massages for an "Andrew" in February and May 2000. While palace records indicate Prince Andrew was in the US at the time to attend a reception for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, it is not confirmed that the ledger refers specifically to him.
Other Entries in the Files
The documents also reference planned meetings with other well-known figures, including:
- A lunch with Peter Thiel in November 2017
- A breakfast with Steve Bannon on 17 February 2019
- A tentative breakfast meeting with Microsoft founder Bill Gates in December 2014
Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. He had previously reached a plea deal in 2008 after being accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl in Florida.
Sara Guerrero, spokeswoman for the Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, called for the release of more files, saying:
"It should be clear to every American that Jeffrey Epstein was friends with some of the most powerful and wealthiest men in the world. Every new document produced provides new information as we work to bring justice for the survivors and victims."
Republicans on the committee criticised the Democrats, accusing them of "putting politics over victims," and said they would release the full set of documents soon.
