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DOJ Releases Millions of Epstein Files Linking Gates, Musk, Trump to Elite Network

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  • L-R: Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Sarah Ferguson and Ehud Barak
    L-R: Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Sarah Ferguson and Ehud Barak
    Image: BBC
    L-R: Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Sarah Ferguson and Ehud Barak (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing
    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing
    Image: BBC
    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
    Brett Ratner is seen on the right here alongside Jeffrey Epstein and two women
    Image: BBC
    Brett Ratner is seen on the right here alongside Jeffrey Epstein and two women (US Department of Justice) Source Full size

Massive DOJ document dump expands Epstein’s contact list The U.S. Justice Department made public more than three million pages of emails, photos, and financial records on February 4‑5, 2026, adding to earlier releases and mapping Epstein’s connections to politicians, royalty, and tech leaders [1][2][4][5][6]. The files include draft emails, meeting schedules, and FBI tip lists, but appearance in the documents does not constitute criminal charges. Media outlets are analyzing the trove for patterns of socializing versus illicit conduct.

Bill Gates’ meetings and denials detailed in the new files Emails show Gates met Epstein several times between 2010 and 2014, including dinners in December 2010, April 2011, October 2011, and a Norway trip in August 2012 [2][3]. Draft July 2013 messages allegedly written by Epstein claim he helped Gates obtain medication for a sexually transmitted infection and facilitated sexual encounters, which Gates’ spokesperson calls “false” and “absurd” [2][3][4][5]. Gates publicly expressed regret, saying “every minute I spent with him, I regret,” while Melinda French Gates described the documents as reviving “very, very painful” memories of their marriage [3][4][5].

Elon Musk’s island‑party emails surface amid denials The release includes November‑December 2012 emails where Musk asks “What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?” and mentions a desire to “hit the party scene in St Barts,” contradicting his claim of never visiting Epstein’s island [1][6]. Musk later posted on X that the messages could be used to “smear my name” and emphasized his focus on prosecuting serious crimes [1]. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche downplayed the legal relevance of such social contacts, stating “it isn’t a crime to party with Mr. Epstein,” a comment echoed in coverage of Musk’s correspondence [6].

Other high‑profile figures appear in the leaked records An FBI‑compiled tip list alleges sexual abuse by former President Donald Trump, though he denies any wrongdoing [1]. Former British cabinet minister Peter Mandelson faces a Metropolitan Police probe after bank records show $75,000 payments linked to him [1][6]. Norway’s Crown Princess Mette‑Marit admitted poor judgment in befriending Epstein, expressing regret for the lapse [6]. Rep. Ro Khanna warned that many elites knowingly sought Epstein’s island despite his crimes, highlighting the broader ethical concerns raised by the dump [6].

Sources

Timeline

2008 – Jeffrey Epstein is convicted in Florida for soliciting sex from a 14‑year‑old girl, establishing a criminal record that later fuels scrutiny of anyone who contacts him[3].

August 2019 – Epstein dies by suicide while awaiting trial on federal sex‑trafficking charges, prompting ongoing investigations and heightened public interest in his network[3].

May 2011 – Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick meets Epstein for drinks, indicating an early personal connection before his later public denials[11].

April 2011 & October 2011 – Bill Gates schedules dinners with Epstein, showing continued interaction after Epstein’s 2008 conviction[4].

December 2012 – Emails reveal Lutnick, his wife Allison, and their four children plan to travel to Little St. James, requesting lunch for two families with eight children aged 7‑16[3]; the same month, Epstein invites Lutnick to a lunch on the island and Allison confirms arrival by yacht[11].

December 2012 – Elon Musk exchanges messages with Epstein about a “wildest party” on the island, asking how many people a helicopter must carry, contradicting later claims of never being invited[5][12].

2013 – Richard Branson replies to Epstein with “bring your harem,” later clarified as referring to three adult team members, and notes limited charity‑event contact[1][5].

18 July 2013 – Draft emails saved in Epstein’s account allege he helped Gates obtain medication to hide a sexually transmitted infection and include a resignation‑style complaint, though no sent email to Gates appears[1][4][6][9][10].

2015 – Lutnick attempts to bring Epstein to a Hillary Clinton fundraiser, a request later downplayed by his office as a limited interaction[5].

2021 – Media reports link Epstein ties to Bill and Melinda Gates’s divorce, highlighting longstanding marital strain over the relationship[2].

2022 – Melinda French Gates discusses Epstein in a CBS interview with Gayle King, condemning the meetings and later seeing the interview go viral on Threads[9].

October 2025 – Lutnick tells the New York Post he cut ties with Epstein in 2005, a claim contradicted by the 2012 island‑trip emails[3].

2025 – Musk posts on X that he repeatedly refused Epstein’s overtures and never attended an island party, despite earlier email evidence of his interest[12][15].

30 Jan 2026 – The DOJ posts a third tranche of roughly three million pages, 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, fulfilling the Epstein Files Transparency Act and exposing Lutnick’s island invitation, Musk’s 2013 island‑visit query, and other high‑profile contacts[11].

31 Jan 2026 – The Justice Department releases over three million pages of Epstein records, including texts between Epstein and Steve Bannon, emails with Prince Andrew, and further evidence of Musk’s 2012‑13 island discussions; Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche notes the massive redaction effort and missed congressional deadline[12][15][16].

3 Feb 2026 – The DOJ makes millions of Epstein files public, naming former President Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Elon Musk and Prince Andrew, sparking renewed media and investigative scrutiny[5].

3 Feb 2026 – President Trump tells CNN he has not read the newly released files that mention him, Musk or Lutnick, and urges focus on other national issues[8].

4 Feb 2026 – Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche downplays the legality of socializing with Epstein, saying “it isn’t a crime to party with Mr. Epstein,” while Rep. Ro Khanna asserts that many wealthy elites knowingly sought island visits despite Epstein’s crimes[7].

4 Feb 2026 – Melinda French Gates says the DOJ dump brings “unbelievable sadness” and revives “very, very painful times” in her marriage, sharing the reaction in an NPR “Wild Card” preview[2][6][9].

4 Feb 2026 – Trump reiterates he has not read the files and emphasizes other priorities, reinforcing his earlier dismissal of the issue[8].

5 Feb 2026 – In a 9News Australia interview, Bill Gates states, “Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologise,” expressing remorse over his limited meetings with Epstein[14].

5 Feb 2026 – Gates’s spokesperson calls the alleged STD claim “absolutely absurd and completely false,” denying any wrongdoing and labeling Epstein’s drafts as defamation attempts[10].

5 Feb 2026 – Gates categorically rejects the July 2013 draft emails as false, emphasizing he only attended a few dinners and never visited Epstein’s island[4].

5 Feb 2026 – NPR announces that the full interview with Melinda French Gates will air Thursday, promising deeper context on her perspective and the Gates‑Epstein controversy[6].

11 Feb 2026 – The latest US Epstein file release links Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Donald Trump and others; Musk’s island‑party emails from 2012‑13 surface, Gates faces a dubious resignation‑letter email, and a FBI tip list alleges abuse by Trump, while Virgin Group clarifies Richard Branson’s “harem” comment and Lord Mandelson steps down amid a £75,000 payment probe[1].

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