A cache of newly released documents from the Epstein files on Friday showed Elon Musk apparently corresponded with the convicted sex offender in 2012 and 2013, as they discussed meeting at Jeffrey Epstein’s private island and at Musk’s SpaceX facility in Southern California.
The emails indicate Musk asked about attending the “wildest party,” hosted by Epstein at his island.
Musk, who serves as CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has for years downplayed his connection to Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while in federal custody.
“Epstein tried to get me to go to his island and I REFUSED,” Musk said in a post on his social network X in September. He also complained that Sky News had mentioned him in conjunction with Epstein before naming Britain’s Prince Andrew, who had visited the island.
The U.S. Virgin Islands issued a subpoena to Musk in 2023 because of suspicion that Epstein “may have referred or attempted to refer” Musk as a client to JPMorgan Chase.
The Department of Justice on Friday released millions of additional pages of documents related to Epstein, along with more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said. The release comes after weeks of criticism that the DOJ wasn’t complying with the requirement under federal law passed in November that all files related to Epstein be publicly released by Dec. 19.
Among the documents released Friday were emails dated from 2012 to 2013, showing Musk’s name but with his email address redacted.
“The world needs more romance,” Musk wrote to Epstein in October 2012, the documents indicate. He told Epstein that he would be traveling with his partner at the time, English actress Talulah Riley, to St. Barts, and was looking to potentially connect at Epstein’s Island.
In a November 2013 email, Epstein offered to send Musk a private helicopter to transport him to the island and asked, “how many people will you be for the heli to island?” Musk responded that it would be just him and Riley and asked, “What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?”
In a December 2013 email, Musk again wrote to Epstein saying, “Christmas and New Year’s, will be in the BVI /St Bart’s area over the holidays. Is there a good time to visit?”
“I will send heli for you,” Epstein responded, with Musk writing back, “Thanks.”
In a follow-up email on Dec. 25, Musk said, “Actually, I could fly back early on the 3rd. We will be in St Bart’s.” He asked if he and Riley should head to the island the day before.
CNBC hasn’t confirmed whether Musk ever visited the Island, though Musk has denied ever traveling there.
Musk didn’t respond to a request for comment.
The emails released on Friday also show that in October 2012, Musk forwarded questions from Epstein to his cousin, Peter Rive, a SolarCity founder. Musk had invested personally in SolarCity and sat on the company’s board.
In the emails, Epstein asked if the solar installer could electrify his New Mexico ranch, or his private Island. Musk asked Rive, in an Oct. 4, 2012 email, “Are we in New Mexico?”
Tesla acquired SolarCity in 2016 in a controversial deal, folding it into what would become the company’s energy division.
In June of last year, Musk wrote in a post on X, that he thought President Donald Trump and his administration were withholding Epstein-related files from the public view in order to protect the president’s reputation.
“Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files,” Musk, who was in the midst of a public spat with the president, wrote at the time. “That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!”
Days later he apologized for posts about Trump that he said “went too far.”
WATCH: House votes to release more Epstein investigation files
