Elon Musk is an entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter). Born in South Africa in 1971, he has become one of the world's wealthiest individuals through his ventures in electric vehicles, space technology, and social media. The Epstein archive documents 692 emails involving Musk between 2012 and 2017, primarily showing Epstein initiating contact and repeatedly inviting Musk to his private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The correspondence reveals that Epstein pursued Musk persistently over several years, proposing island visits, meetings at various properties, and social gatherings. While Musk participated in at least one documented meeting—a February 2013 lunch at SpaceX headquarters—the archive shows he declined multiple island invitations and most proposed meetings. Musk has publicly stated that he regarded Epstein as "a creep" and declined repeated overtures, though the emails show he initially expressed interest in visiting the island in 2012 and 2013 before plans fell through.
The archive contains no evidence that Musk visited Epstein's island, attended parties with minors, or participated in any criminal activity. The correspondence is characterized by brief, often noncommittal responses from Musk to Epstein's invitations, with most proposed meetings not materializing.
Background#
Elon Reeve Musk was born June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa. He moved to Canada in his late teens, studied at the University of Pennsylvania, and co-founded PayPal in the late 1990s. In 2002, he founded SpaceX with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling Mars colonization. He joined Tesla Motors in 2004 as an investor and chairman, becoming CEO in 2008 and leading the company to prominence in the electric vehicle industry.
By the time period documented in the Epstein archive (2012-2017), Musk was already a prominent figure in technology and business circles. He was married to British actress Talulah Riley from 2010 to 2012, remarried her in 2013, and divorced again in 2016. During this period, he was building SpaceX's commercial launch capabilities and expanding Tesla's vehicle lineup.
Following the release of Epstein-related documents in January 2026, media coverage documented Musk's communications with Epstein, showing more extensive contact than Musk had previously acknowledged. In 2019, Musk told Vanity Fair that Epstein "tried repeatedly to get me to visit his island. I declined." The archive confirms Epstein extended many such invitations, though the extent of Musk's ultimate participation remains unclear from available records.
Correspondence with Epstein#
The archive documents limited but persistent correspondence between Epstein and Musk spanning 2012 to 2017. Epstein consistently initiated contact, attempting to arrange meetings and visits to his properties. Musk's responses were typically brief and often evasive or non-committal.
Early Contact and Island Invitations (2012-2013)
The earliest documented exchange dates to November 2012, when Epstein asked Musk "how many people will you be for the heli to island". Musk replied: "Probably just Talulah and me. What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?" This suggests initial interest in visiting, though no evidence confirms the trip occurred.
In December 2013, Musk wrote to Epstein: "Will be in the BVI/St Bart's area over the holidays. Is there a good time to visit?" Epstein responded: "any day 1st - 8th . play it by ear if you want. always space for you". Musk replied "Ok, probably the 1st then" and later asked "When should we head to your island on the 2nd?" after coordinating with Lesley Groff. However, Epstein cancelled, writing "Unfortunately , my schedule will keep me in New York", to which Musk replied "No problem". In January 2014, Epstein asked about the trip, and Musk responded "Great", offering no details.
SpaceX Visit (February 2013)
The most substantiated meeting between Epstein and Musk occurred in February 2013. Email coordination between Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff and Musk's assistant Mary Beth Brown arranged a lunch at SpaceX headquarters on February 25, 2013. Groff noted that Epstein would bring "2 Russian and 1 South African" assistants and mentioned "the girls bringing me their passports" for security clearance.
On February 26, 2013, Epstein wrote to Musk: "thanks for the tour , you would have had fun at xmas". Musk replied "I see☺" with a smiley emoji. In a July 2020 tweet, Musk denied that Epstein ever toured SpaceX, stating "Don't know where that comes from," contradicting this documented exchange.
Continued Invitations (2014-2017)
Throughout 2014, Epstein continued reaching out. In September 2014, he invited Musk to the island with Reid Hoffman and Joi Ito: "reid and joi will met me in palm beach the eve of the 28th and i will fly them to island. then to boston on the 30th, come". Musk declined: "Have to be in London and California on those dates". Epstein replied "another time of your choosing. just let me know".
In December 2014, Epstein asked "reid was on the island last weekend, do you think you will be in carib for xmas? new years?" and followed up with "caribean?". No responses from Musk to these inquiries appear in the archive.
Epstein also inquired about business matters, asking whether "any one at Solar City that my guys can talk to about electrifying the Caribbean island? or the New Mexico ranch". In February 2017, Epstein sent a brief message: "sultan is a great guy", apparently referring to Sultan Bin Sulayem, a Dubai businessman who had asked Epstein to arrange meetings with Musk regarding Tesla expansion.
Intermediaries and Network Connections
Musk's brother Kimbal Musk appears frequently in the archive in connection with Epstein. In October 2012, Epstein invited both brothers to meetings, though Elon declined due to travel. Epstein invited Kimbal to "the island for a couple of days, come relax" in January 2013. In February 2013, Boris Nikolic forwarded Epstein an email from Kimbal stating "I'm now divorced! Free to live my life".
In August 2015, Epstein mentioned to White House attorney Kathryn Ruemmler that "my meeting with zuckerburg has grown as they all want info on money, elon musk, thiel, reid hoffman, it will be fun", suggesting he viewed Musk as part of a network of tech leaders he cultivated.
Connections#
Musk's primary connection to Epstein appears indirect, mediated through Silicon Valley networks. The archive shows Epstein frequently mentioned Musk alongside Reid Hoffman, Joi Ito, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and other tech leaders, suggesting Epstein positioned himself as a connector within this community.
Musk's brother Kimbal Musk had more extensive documented interactions with Epstein, including meetings coordinated with Boris Nikolic and invitations to Epstein's island. Through John Brockman's Edge Foundation network, Musk was included on mass email distributions that also reached Epstein, though these represent passive list inclusion rather than active correspondence.
Document References#
Beyond email correspondence, several documents reference Musk in the context of Epstein's network. In May 2014, Debra Black wrote to Epstein requesting help getting Tesla to participate in a melanoma fundraiser, noting "I know you are friends with Elon Musk".
Documents show Sultan Bin Sulayem of Dubai repeatedly asked Epstein to arrange meetings with Musk regarding Tesla expansion and solar technology in the Middle East. In July 2015, the Sultan asked whether Epstein could "arrange a meeting for me with Elon Musk I want to convince him to open his show room For Tesla in DUBAI". In August 2015, Epstein wrote "i m having dinner tonight with elon musk" and the Sultan followed up asking "Did you have your dinner with Elon Musk?and did you explain to him my proposal?what was his reactions?". No evidence confirms this dinner occurred.
A September 2012 email shows Epstein listing recent guests at his townhouse, including "julie taymor, woody alien, elon musk, frank gehry, bottstein, hillis, bill gates", though the context and accuracy of this claim cannot be verified.
Visits to Epstein Properties#
The archive documents one confirmed visit and multiple proposed but unrealized visits:
Manhattan Townhouse:
- September 2012: Epstein claimed Musk was among recent visitors in an email to Michael Bumrate, though no corroborating evidence confirms this visit (email)
SpaceX Headquarters (reverse visit):
- February 25, 2013 - Confirmed lunch meeting with tour of SpaceX facility, coordinated through assistants with security clearances arranged for Epstein's entourage (coordination emails, follow-up)
Little St. James Island:
- November 2012: Proposed visit discussed but not confirmed to have occurred (exchange)
- December 2013: Plans discussed for visit on January 2nd or 3rd, 2014, but Epstein cancelled due to schedule conflicts (full thread)
- September 2014: Invitation to join Reid Hoffman and Joi Ito declined due to Musk's schedule (exchange)
- December 2014: Multiple inquiries about holiday visits, no documented responses from Musk (inquiries, follow-up)
Santa Fe Ranch:
- February 2013: Epstein invited Musk to visit on February 23-24, but Musk had commitments in Los Angeles; lunch at SpaceX arranged instead (coordination)
Paris Apartment:
- October 2012: Epstein invited Musk to Paris October 17-20, Musk said he would "try to make it" but would be in Germany October 19-21, making overlap unlikely
Palm Beach Residence:
- No documented visits or specific invitations in the archive
The archive contains no evidence that any proposed island visits occurred. The December 2013 plan was the most developed, with specific dates discussed and coordination through Epstein's assistant, but Epstein cancelled before it materialized.