...
By Gabe Whisnant
News Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Billionaire Elon Musk exchanged emails with Jeffrey Epstein about visiting the financier’s private Caribbean island, according to newly released documents that include correspondence from 2012 and 2013.
The emails show Epstein discussing potential travel arrangements to Little Saint James, an island he owned in the U.S. Virgin Islands that later became the focus of numerous allegations of sexual abuse.
In a November 2012 exchange, Epstein asked Musk how many people he would want transported by helicopter to the island. Musk, the world's richest person, replied that it would likely be just himself and his partner at the time, actress Talulah Riley, and asked which day or night would be “the wildest party” on the island.
Read More on News
...
Musk contacted Epstein again in December 2013 while planning travel in the Caribbean over the holidays, writing that he would be in the British Virgin Islands and St. Barts area and asking if there was “a good time to visit.” Epstein responded by suggesting a visit after the New Year and told Musk there was “always space” for him, later adding, “I will come and get you.”
It is not clear whether Musk ever visited the island.
Newsweek has reached out to Musk’s companies, Tesla and X, via email on Friday evening for comment.
Musk has previously denied visiting Epstein’s island, saying he rejected the financier’s invitations. In a post on X in 2025, Musk wrote that Epstein “tried to get me to go to his island and I REFUSED,” after House Democrats released an Epstein calendar that referenced a possible Musk visit.
Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
Musk-Trump Public Spat Over Epstein Files
Musk and President Donald Trump engaged in a high-profile public feud that escalated on June 5, 2025, with Musk's bombshell allegation that Trump's name appeared in the files related to Epstein.
Musk, in a post on X, wrote, "Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!" He followed with, "Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out."
The accusation came shortly after Trump threatened to cancel federal contracts and subsidies for Musk's companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, writing on Truth Social: "The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon's Governmental Subsidies and Contracts."
The feud escalated earlier this week when Musk, who gave over $200 million to Trump's campaign and called himself his "first buddy," publicly criticized the administration-backed "One Big Beautiful Bill." The bill aims to extend tax cuts, increase immigration enforcement, and end consumer incentives for electric vehicles.
Musk denounced the bill as a "disgusting abomination," warning it would add trillions to the national debt.
Musk and Trump appeared to reconcile in September 2025 at a memorial in Arizona for slain conservative activist, Charlie Kirk.
Updates: 1/30/25, 7:41 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not "both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations. Help keep the center courageous. Join today.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines