Kimbal Musk

1. Summary#

Kimbal Musk is a South African-born American restaurateur, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, best known as the brother of Elon Musk and as the founder of The Kitchen restaurant group and The Kitchen Community (TKC), a nonprofit that builds "Learning Gardens" at schools across the United States. He serves on the boards of Tesla and SpaceX.

The Epstein archive contains 115 emails involving Musk, spanning from September 2012 to September 2015 across 73 threads. Of these, 73 were sent by Musk (primarily mass nonprofit newsletters to Epstein's email address), and 39 were addressed to him. The correspondence documents a social relationship between Musk, Epstein, and Boris Nikolic that included in-person meetings in New York, invitations to Epstein's properties, and the introduction of a woman with whom Musk became romantically involved. Epstein's address ([email protected]) was on The Kitchen Community's mailing list and received regular event invitations and newsletters from Musk's organization.

2. Background#

Kimbal Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1972. He moved to the United States with his brother Elon and co-founded Zip2, which was sold to Compaq in 1999. He later co-founded The Kitchen restaurant group in Boulder, Colorado, and in 2011 established The Kitchen Community (TKC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on building Learning Gardens in schools to teach children about healthy food. By 2013, the organization had installed over 100 Learning Gardens in Colorado, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Musk also serves on the boards of Tesla, Inc. and SpaceX. In early 2013, he went through a divorce. He later married Christiana Wyly. Reporting since 2019 has linked both Elon and Kimbal Musk to Epstein's social network, though neither has been accused of wrongdoing.

3. Correspondence with Epstein#

Initial Contact and Social Circle (September–October 2012)

The earliest documented contact between Musk and Epstein dates to September 2012. On September 21, 2012, Musk invited Boris Nikolic and Epstein to a black-tie event at the Four Seasons, writing: "Let Jeffrey and his friends know they are invited tomorrow night. Four Seasons. 7pm. Black tie." Nikolic responded enthusiastically, copying Epstein and Karla Shaw, Musk's assistant.

Days later, Musk wrote directly to Epstein: "Hey Jeffrey. Sorry you missed the party. It was a blast. Sorry to miss lunch on Sunday... I'll be in town next Friday (Oct 5th). I'd love to meet up if you're in town." Shaw then proposed a 10am coffee meeting for Friday, October 5.

Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff sent a reminder about the coffee date on October 3, but Epstein rescheduled for Sunday or Monday. The rescheduling involved multiple emails: Groff contacted Musk's assistant to note that "Kimbal's assistant, Karla, says there has been some discussion about a lunch on Sunday, Oct. 7th, with you and Boris...Kimbal thinks this sounds great". Epstein approved, and Groff confirmed, writing "Great!! I will confirm Kimbal. Let me know if I need to invite Boris."

Separately, Epstein wrote to his brother Elon Musk on October 3, 2012: "kimball and boris are coming on sun .. are you around?" Elon replied that he had to be back in California.

The lunch took place at Epstein's New York residence on Sunday, October 7, 2012. Epstein's daily schedule shows "11:30 Snacks w/Kimbal Musk and MAYBE Boris to come a bit later", followed by a 1:30 meeting with Todd Meister and Francisco. Groff confirmed Musk at the house at 11:30 and noted his 3pm flight out of LGA. Staff coordinated ordering in lunch since the regular cook was on vacation, with one staff member lamenting: "Oh my... And Kimbal is a foodie :(".

Introduction of a Woman and Romantic Relationship

After the October 7 lunch, Musk emailed both Nikolic and Epstein: "Great to hang out today. Jeffrey and Boris, many thanks for connecting me with Jennifer. I believe you both played a role. :)" Nikolic responded with a warning: "Kimbal — just fyi – you better be nice to Jenn ;) Jeffrey goes crazy when someone mistreats his girls/friends. So better be very nice to her." Nikolic also joked about Halloween costumes and urged Musk to get a second residency in NYC. Musk replied that he was "happy with ennifer" and planned to return for Halloween weekend (October 25–28).

In late October, Nikolic asked Musk if he was in NYC that week. Musk replied he would instead be in LA watching the SpaceX Dragon return flight from the SpaceX control room.

Island Invitation and Divorce (January 2013)

On January 24, 2013, Epstein emailed Musk directly: "you are invited to the island for a couple of days, come relax". Musk declined, responding: "Thanks Jeffrey. That would be nice. I'm still dealing with the nuclear explosion that is my life, but I'm hopeful that things are settling down a bit. Thanks for the invite. I'm in Europe/traveling for most of February. Maybe in the spring."

On February 9, 2013, Musk messaged Nikolic: "I'm now divorced! Free to live my life." Nikolic forwarded this message to Epstein four days later.

Relationship Breakdown and Ranch Invitation (April 2013)

By April 2013, the relationship between Musk and the woman Epstein and Nikolic had introduced to him was strained. On April 26, 2013, Musk sent a lengthy email to this woman (which was forwarded to Epstein's inbox) expressing his emotional state amid his divorce aftermath, family stress, and loss of a dog named Manhattan. He proposed stepping back the relationship: "We know how much we like each other. But I am just not able to do a real relationship right now. Would you be up for going back a step to just dating?"

The woman forwarded this email to Epstein, commenting: "Thoughts? I just don't think I'd EVER be a priority because he hasn't shown any ability to get over history or find a way to emotionally cope with the future..." In the same thread, Epstein responded to her: "ok, good news now i have you back again, full time, come to ranch you'll feel better, come tonight if you want". He also urged her to "fly to alb tomoro fly with us" — an apparent reference to flying to Albuquerque, the nearest major airport to Epstein's New Mexico ranch.

A separate response from someone identified as Steve Hanson advised the woman to leave the situation with Musk, writing: "U gave to much too quick... Just don't even answer his e or calls for 10 days."

Musk also arranged travel for the woman; in early April, a forwarded travel itinerary showed Kimbal booking flights for her from Chicago to LA and then LA to NYC.

TED Conference (February 2013)

Musk sent a group email to Nikolic, Epstein, and at least one other person in late February 2013, sharing a photo from TED 2013.

Milken Global Conference (April 2013)

Epstein's itinerary for the 2013 Milken Global Conference shows he selected to attend a Monday evening dinner program titled "To Infinity and Beyond: Jeff Skoll Talks with Elon and Kimbal Musk", scheduled for April 29, 2013.

Nonprofit Newsletter Correspondence (2012–2015)

A large portion of the 115 emails in the archive consists of mass newsletters and event invitations from The Kitchen Community sent to Epstein's email address. These include updates on Learning Garden installations (100 gardens by June 2013), partnership announcements with Chipotle and Mayor Emanuel in Chicago (December 2012), Denver Post coverage of Musk's work (September 2013), restaurant openings (Fort Collins in June 2014, Chicago in October 2014), and year-end donation appeals. The November 2014 newsletter addressed Epstein personally: "Dear Jeffrey, Welcome to The Kitchen Community's inaugural eNewsletter!". Epstein's email was BCC'd on some group messages, such as the 100 Learning Gardens milestone announcement.

Later Contact (2015–2016)

In September 2015, Musk sent a personal invitation to "Jen" for a TKC fundraiser in Los Angeles on October 14. This person forwarded the invitation to Epstein, writing "Kimbal invited me to this below, what do you think?", and Epstein replied "go".

In July 2015, Epstein forwarded a message from a "sultan" asking whether Epstein was "still in contact with Kimball" and requesting an introduction to Elon Musk regarding a Tesla showroom and solar batteries for a hotel in Dubai. The intermediary replied, "Yeah, I'll see Kimbal next weekend. Should I forward this to him?" and Epstein confirmed "yes".

In September 2016, someone forwarded to Epstein an invitation from "Kimbal Musk & Christiana Wyly" for a joint birthday party in Memphis, scheduled for October 7–9, 2016. The Kitchen Community also sent a routine October 2016 newsletter to Epstein's email.

4. Connections#

Jeffrey Epstein: The primary relationship documented in the archive, with 67 shared emails. Epstein and Musk communicated directly about social meetups, and Musk was on The Kitchen Community's mailing list. Epstein invited Musk to his island and ranch, and they met in person at Epstein's New York residence in October 2012. Epstein also attempted to invite Musk's brother Elon to the same Sunday lunch.

Boris Nikolic: A former science advisor to Bill Gates, Nikolic served as a key intermediary between Musk and Epstein. He appears in 46 shared emails. Nikolic co-introduced a woman to Musk alongside Epstein, attended the October 2012 lunch at Epstein's home, socialized with Musk separately in New York, and forwarded Musk's personal messages to Epstein.

Karla Shaw: Musk's assistant at The Kitchen and The Kitchen Community, she appears in 24 shared emails, coordinating scheduling between Musk and Epstein, including the October 2012 coffee date.

Lesley Groff: Epstein's assistant, who handled scheduling of Musk's meetings with Epstein, including the October 5 coffee reschedule and October 7 lunch confirmation.

Maye Musk: Kimbal's mother, who initiated the email thread on childhood obesity that led to Musk's October 7, 2012 thank-you message to Epstein and Nikolic.

5. Document References#

Kimbal Musk appears in approximately 20 DOJ-produced documents in the archive, though these are predominantly PDF renderings of emails already described above rather than independent investigative or legal records. The scheduling documents include Lesley Groff's reminder about the Friday coffee date, Epstein's rescheduling reply, the lunch coordination with Karla Shaw, and Groff's confirmation of the Sunday lunch. Epstein's October 2012 monthly calendar, prepared by Groff, includes the tentative Friday coffee with Musk. The staff logistics email about Sunday lunch ordering and Louella's acknowledgment provide additional internal scheduling context. Boris Nikolic's forwarding of Musk's divorce announcement to Epstein and the Milken Conference itinerary featuring both Musk brothers are also preserved as DOJ documents. No court filings, depositions, flight logs, or formal investigation documents specifically naming Kimbal Musk were identified in the archive.

6. Visits to Epstein Properties#

• Manhattan townhouse: 1 documented visit

  1. October 7, 2012 — Lunch at Epstein's New York residence at 11:30am, with Boris Nikolic possibly joining later. Confirmed by Lesley Groff (scheduling) and Epstein's daily schedule. Staff coordinated ordering lunch in since the cook was on vacation. Musk's 3pm flight out of LGA was noted. Musk emailed afterward thanking Epstein and Nikolic (post-visit email).

• Little St. James island: No visits documented. Epstein extended an invitation in January 2013; Musk declined, citing travel plans.

• New Mexico ranch (Zorro Ranch): No visits documented for Musk. In April 2013, Epstein invited the woman Musk had been dating to "come to ranch" and "fly to alb", but these invitations were directed at her, not Musk.

• Palm Beach residence: No visits documented in the archive.

• Paris apartment: No visits documented in the archive.

7. Criminal Activity#

The archive does not document Kimbal Musk participating in or knowingly facilitating Epstein's criminal activity. However, the circumstances surrounding Epstein and Boris Nikolic's introduction of a woman to Musk raise questions about the nature of the social network in which Musk was a participant.

The "Jennifer" Introduction

After meeting Epstein and Nikolic at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse on October 7, 2012, Musk thanked both men for "connecting me with Jennifer". Nikolic's response is notable: "Kimbal — just fyi – you better be nice to Jenn ;) Jeffrey goes crazy when someone mistreats his girls/friends. So better be very nice to her." Nikolic's use of the phrase "his girls/friends" echoes the language used throughout the Epstein archive to describe the young women Epstein controlled and trafficked.

When Musk's relationship with the woman broke down in April 2013, Epstein's response revealed a possessive dynamic. He wrote to her: "ok, good news now i have you back again, full time, come to ranch you'll feel better, come tonight if you want", and separately urged her to "fly to alb tomoro fly with us" — an invitation to Epstein's New Mexico ranch. Epstein's immediate move to reclaim the woman as "back again, full time" suggests she was part of a network of women he directed and deployed, and that her introduction to Musk had been a temporary arrangement controlled by Epstein.

Nikolic also forwarded Musk's personal divorce announcement — "I'm now divorced! Free to live my life" — directly to Epstein, suggesting Nikolic understood that Musk's newly single status was information Epstein would find useful.