Elon Musk responded angrily after new emails revealed exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein, denying he attended Epstein’s parties, flew on the so-called "Lolita Express," or visited Epstein’s island. Musk said he expected to be smeared and defended his efforts to release Epstein-related files and pursue prosecutions. The messages include a 2012 query about the "wildest party" on Epstein's island and a 2013 invitation to a New York event, which Musk declined. The revelations have renewed scrutiny amid Musk's recent political activity and prior public disputes over the files.
Elon Musk Denies Epstein Party Links After New Emails Surface, Calls It a 'Relentless' Smear
Elon Musk
Elon Musk forcefully pushed back against renewed scrutiny over his past contacts with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, saying he expected a smear campaign after newly released emails showed exchanges between the two men.
What Musk Said
In a lengthy post on X, the social platform he owns, Musk criticized the mainstream media and what he called "far-left propagandists," and said that "nobody has fought harder for [the] full release of the Epstein files and prosecutions of those who abused children" than he has.
"I knew that I would be smeared relentlessly, despite never having attended his parties or been on his 'Lolita Express' plane or set foot on his creepy island or done anything wrong at all," Musk wrote.
He outlined a three-step playbook he expected from his critics: "Admit nothing. Deny everything. Make counter-accusations against [him]." Musk said the personal pain of the accusations was worth it if it helped protect vulnerable children: "The strong must protect those cannot protect themselves, especially vulnerable children. I will gladly accept any amount of future pain to do more to protect kids and give them a chance to grow up and have happy lives."
The Records
Newly released messages include a 2012 email in which Musk asked Epstein, "what day/night will be the wildest party on our island?" Another exchange from 2013 shows Epstein inviting Musk to "hang out" in New York during the opening of the United Nations General Assembly, saying "many interesting people" would attend. Musk replied that it would be an "unwise" use of his time because he was busy with his rocket and car companies and later said he had been "dumb enough" to assume Epstein meant diplomats rather than parties with young women.
Context And Fallout
The resurfacing of the emails renewed attention to Musk's earlier statements that he had "REFUSED" to go to Epstein's private island. The exchanges and Musk's responses have drawn criticism, commentary and fact-checking from journalists and social media users.
Musk previously clashed publicly with then-President Donald Trump in June 2025 after accusing him of helping keep Epstein-related files from being released, writing, "[Trump] is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public." The two have since publicly reconciled to some extent; Musk was photographed attending the wedding of White House Chief of Staff Dan Scavino in Florida, and he has been an active political donor, giving significant sums to Republican candidates ahead of the 2026 midterms after sizable contributions in 2024.
What This Means
While the emails show correspondence between Musk and Epstein, Musk denies attending Epstein’s parties, flying on Epstein’s private plane or visiting his island. The exchanges have intensified public scrutiny of Musk’s past contacts and his statements about Epstein, and they have prompted renewed journalistic and political attention to who associated with Epstein and why.
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