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US Justice Department Releases Millions of Epstein Files Linking Musk, Gates, Trump and Global Elite

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  • L-R: Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Sarah Ferguson and Ehud Barak
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    L-R: Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Sarah Ferguson and Ehud Barak (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • L-R: Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Sarah Ferguson and Ehud Barak
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    L-R: Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Sarah Ferguson and Ehud Barak (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing
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    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing (US Department of Justice) Source Full size
  • Brett Ratner is seen on the right here alongside Jeffrey Epstein and two women
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    Brett Ratner is seen on the right here alongside Jeffrey Epstein and two women (US Department of Justice) Source Full size
  • Extraits des emails de Jeffrey Epstein, révélés par le ministère de la justice américain le 30 janvier 2026. Montage « Le Monde ».MINISTERE AMERICAIN DE LA JUSTICE/« LE MONDE »
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    Extraits des emails de Jeffrey Epstein, révélés par le ministère de la justice américain le 30 janvier 2026. Montage « Le Monde ».MINISTERE AMERICAIN DE LA JUSTICE/« LE MONDE » (MINISTERE AMERICAIN DE LA JUSTICE/« LE MONDE ») Source Full size
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  • Elon Musk au club Mar-a-Lago, à Palm Beach (Floride), le 1ᵉʳ février 2026. Montage « LE MONDE ».MARK SCHIEFELBEIN/AP/« LE MONDE »
    Image: Le Monde
    Elon Musk au club Mar-a-Lago, à Palm Beach (Floride), le 1ᵉʳ février 2026. Montage « LE MONDE ».MARK SCHIEFELBEIN/AP/« LE MONDE » (MARK SCHIEFELBEIN/AP/« LE MONDE ») Source Full size

Massive Document Dump Expands Epstein Network The Justice Department made public over three million pages of emails, photos and financial records on Jan 30 2026, dramatically widening the list of high‑profile individuals who communicated with Jeffrey Epstein [1][8]. The release follows earlier batches and is being examined by journalists, investigators and law‑enforcement agencies worldwide [2][3]. Officials stress that mere appearance in the files does not prove criminal conduct [1].

Elon Musk’s Island‑Travel Plans Confirmed but Canceled Emails from late 2012 show Musk asked “What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?” and discussed traveling with his then‑wife Talulah Riley, though he later declined the invitation and the trip never occurred [1][4][8]. Musk has repeatedly denied ever attending an Epstein‑hosted party and claims the files are being used to smear his reputation [1][4]. A June 5 2025 X post—later deleted—accused former President Trump of suppressing the documents because of his own appearance [4].

Bill Gates’ Multiple Post‑Conviction Meetings Documented The files contain scheduling emails for dinners in Dec 2010, lunches in Feb 2013, meetings in Apr 2011 and Oct 2011, a Norway trip in Aug 2012, and continued Skype calls through 2014, all after Epstein’s 2008 conviction [2][5][6][7]. Draft July 2013 messages allegedly written by Epstein claim he helped Gates obtain medication for a sexually transmitted infection and facilitated sexual encounters; Gates calls the drafts “false” and “never sent” [2][5][6][7]. Gates has publicly expressed regret for every minute spent with Epstein and apologized for the meetings, emphasizing they were limited to a few dinners [5][6][7].

Other Elite Figures and Political Fallout The documents list former President Donald Trump in an FBI tip list alleging sexual abuse, which he denies [1]; Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche downplayed the significance of socializing with Epstein, saying “it isn’t a crime to party with Mr. Epstein” [8]. Lord Peter Mandelson faces a Metropolitan Police probe over $75,000 payments linked to alleged market‑sensitive leaks [1][8]. Richard Branson’s “harem” comment was clarified as referring to three adult staff members, and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman also appears, both expressing regret for their contacts [1][4]. Norway’s Crown Princess Mette‑Marit admitted poor judgment in befriending Epstein [8].

Family Reactions Highlight Personal Pain Melinda French Gates described “unbelievable sadness” and “very, very painful times” after seeing the new files, reiterating that remaining questions must be answered by those named [6][7]. Bill Gates reiterated his denial of illegal activity, limited his contact to dinner meetings, and apologized for the association [5][6][7]. Lawmakers such as Rep. Ro Khanna argue that many wealthy individuals knowingly sought Epstein’s island despite his crimes, while critics accuse the administration of minimizing the scandal [8].

Sources

Timeline

2008 – Jeffrey Epstein receives an 18‑month sentence after pleading guilty to procuring a 14‑year‑old for prostitution, a conviction that later fuels scrutiny of any elite contacts he maintains[3].

April 2011 & October 2011 – Bill Gates meets Epstein for dinner on two occasions, later acknowledging the meetings but insisting they never involved travel to Epstein’s island[4].

May 2011 – Howard Lutnick and Epstein schedule a drinks meeting in New York, indicating a personal connection that predates later denials[11].

September 2012 – Elon Musk receives an invitation from Epstein to discuss a “wildest party” on the island; Musk replies that only he and his then‑wife Talulah Riley would attend, later denying any actual visit[5].

December 2012 – Jeffrey Epstein emails Howard Lutnick’s wife, Allison, confirming that the Lutnick family plans to arrive by yacht with their four children for lunch on Little St. James, showing direct coordination for a family trip[3].

July 18, 2013 – Draft emails saved in Epstein’s account allege that he helped Bill Gates obtain medication to conceal a sexually transmitted infection and facilitated sexual encounters; Gates’s team later calls the drafts “false” and “unsent”[4].

2013 – Richard Branson replies to Epstein with “bring your harem” in a light‑hearted email; Virgin Group later clarifies “harem” refers to three adult team members, not a literal harem[5].

2015 – Howard Lutnick attempts to invite Epstein to a Hillary Clinton fundraiser, a move later downplayed by the Commerce Department as limited interaction[5].

August 2019 – Jeffrey Epstein dies by suicide while awaiting federal sex‑trafficking trial, a death that intensifies public demand for full disclosure of his contacts[3].

2021 – Bill and Melinda French Gates finalize their divorce; Melinda had previously expressed distress over Bill’s association with Epstein, a factor cited in media coverage of their split[2].

2022 – Melinda French Gates discusses Epstein in a CBS interview with Gayle King, condemning the financier and recalling the pain the association caused her marriage[9].

June 5, 2025 – Elon Musk posts on X (later deletes) claiming President Donald Trump blocked the release of Epstein files because Trump appears in them, suggesting a political motive to suppress the documents[18].

October 2025 – Howard Lutnick tells the New York Post that he cut ties with Epstein in 2005, yet newly released 2012 emails reveal he was still arranging island visits, contradicting his earlier statements[3].

January 30, 2026 – The Justice Department publishes a third tranche of roughly three million pages, 2,000 videos and 180,000 images of Epstein‑related material, fulfilling the Epstein Files Transparency Act after missing a congressional deadline[11].

January 31, 2026 – Additional DOJ releases add over three million pages of emails, photos and videos, including communications with Elon Musk, Prince Andrew and Howard Lutnick, expanding the public record of Epstein’s network[12].

February 1, 2026 – DOJ announces it will host more than 3 million pages of records on its website without an index, prompting criticism over transparency and prompting a resignation of Slovakia’s security adviser after his contacts with Epstein surface[13].

February 3, 2026 – The Department of Justice releases millions of documents that name former President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Elon Musk and Prince Andrew, reigniting media and congressional scrutiny of their past contacts with Epstein[5].

February 4, 2026 – Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche tells Fox News that “it isn’t a crime to party with Mr. Epstein,” while Rep. Ro Khanna asserts wealthy elites knowingly sought Epstein’s island despite his crimes, highlighting political tension over the releases[7].

February 4, 2026 – President Donald Trump tells CNN he has not read the newly released files that mention Howard Lutnick and Elon Musk, saying the country should focus on issues like health care[8].

February 4, 2026 – Bill Gates appears on 9News Australia, stating “Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologise,” and reiterates that he never visited Epstein’s island, framing his contact as limited to a few dinners[14].

February 4, 2026 – Melinda French Gates shares a preview on NPR’s “Wild Card” podcast, describing “unbelievable sadness” and “very, very painful times” revived by the new documents linking her ex‑husband to Epstein[6].

February 5, 2026 – The DOJ releases a fresh tranche of over three million pages, adding new evidence of Gates’s meetings with Epstein after his 2008 conviction and photos of Gates with Prince Andrew, further intensifying public scrutiny[4].

February 5, 2026 – Full NPR interview with Melinda French Gates airs, providing a broader view of her perspective on the Gates‑Epstein controversy and her call for accountability from those named in the files[6].

February 11, 2026 – New US‑released Epstein files expose Elon Musk’s 2012‑13 island‑party emails, showing Musk asking “What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?” and prompting Musk to claim the messages could be used to “smear my name” while he focuses on prosecuting serious crimes[1].

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