Top Headlines

Feeds

U.S. Files Reveal Dozens More High‑Profile Names Tied to Epstein

Updated (17 articles)
  • 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 file release adds dozens of high‑profile names The U.S. government disclosed a large cache of documents on 23 February 2026, expanding the list of wealthy and influential individuals previously linked to Jeffrey Epstein [1]. The new files contain dozens of additional names, but officials stress that inclusion does not constitute evidence of criminal conduct [1]. The release follows earlier disclosures that first exposed Epstein’s network of powerful contacts [1].

Elon Musk’s island‑party emails and Gates’ false resignation claim Emails from November‑December 2012 show Elon Musk asking about “the wildest party” on Epstein’s island and expressing a desire to “hit the party scene” [1]. Musk later posted on X that the messages could be used to smear him [1]. Two 2013 emails purportedly drafted by Epstein reference a Gates Foundation resignation over “medicine for…sex with Russian girls,” which the Gates spokesperson called “absolutely absurd and completely false” [1].

Trump appears on unverified FBI tip list; Prince Andrew arrested The files include a list of tips compiled by the FBI’s Threat Operation Center that mention former President Donald Trump, though most tips lack corroborating evidence [1]. Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein [1]. Photographs of Prince Andrew surfaced, and he was arrested in mid‑February on suspicion of public‑office misconduct, which he denies [1].

Richard Branson’s “harem” email clarified by Virgin Group 2013 email thread shows Epstein thanking Richard Branson, with Branson replying about bringing a “harem,” which Virgin Group clarified referred only to three adult team members [1]. The company also stated that any donation from Epstein was rejected after due‑diligence checks [1]. This exchange adds another layer to the expanding portrait of Epstein’s contacts [1].

Sources

Timeline

2005 – Howard Lutnick tells a 2025 New York Post interview that he cut ties with Jeffrey Epstein after a 2005 Manhattan townhouse visit, describing the encounter as “disgusting” and vowing never to share a room with Epstein again[3].

2008 – Jeffrey Epstein is convicted in Florida for soliciting sex from a 14‑year‑old girl, a criminal background that later intensifies scrutiny of any public official’s association with him[3].

May 2011 – Howard Lutnick meets Epstein for drinks, establishing a longer‑standing connection before later planning a family trip to the island[11].

2011 – Bill Gates holds his first dinner with Epstein and subsequently attends additional meetings in April and October 2011, marking the start of a multi‑year interaction after Epstein’s conviction[4].

December 2012 – Elon Musk asks Epstein how many people would need a helicopter to reach Little Saint James and expresses interest in attending “the wildest party,” while Howard Lutnick’s wife confirms a family yacht arrival for a lunch on the island[1][3].

December 2012 – Howard Lutnick, his wife Allison, and their four children receive an invitation from Epstein to lunch on his Caribbean property, and they coordinate yacht travel and dinner plans[11].

July 18 2013 – Draft emails saved in Epstein’s account allege that Gates helped obtain medication to hide a sexually transmitted infection and reference a “resignation‑letter‑style” complaint, though the messages were never sent[1][10].

2013 – Richard Branson replies to Epstein’s thank‑you note with a comment about bringing a “harem,” later clarified by Virgin as referring to three adult team members[1].

December 13 2013 – Elon Musk emails Epstein asking for a “good time to visit” the BVI/St Barth area, a request that never materializes[5].

2015 – Howard Lutnick attempts to bring Epstein to a Hillary Clinton fundraiser, a move the Commerce Department later says involved limited interaction and no wrongdoing allegations[5].

August 2019 – Jeffrey Epstein dies by suicide while awaiting federal sex‑trafficking trial, a death that continues to fuel investigations into his network[3].

2021 – Melinda French Gates cites Epstein ties as a factor in her marital strain and eventual divorce from Bill Gates, noting that the controversy resurfaced during their separation[2].

2022 – Melinda French Gates gives a televised interview with Gayle King, condemning Epstein and Bill Gates’ meetings, which later resurfaces on social media after the 2026 document releases[9].

June 5 2025 – Elon Musk posts on X blaming President Donald Trump for suppressing the Epstein file release, claiming “Trump blocked the release because he appears in them,” before later deleting the post[17].

Oct 2025 – Howard Lutnick tells the New York Post that he severed ties with Epstein in 2005, contradicting newly released 2012 emails that show he was still arranging island visits, raising questions about his earlier denials[3].

Nov 2025 – The House Oversight Committee releases photos showing Bill Gates standing beside Prince Andrew and next to a redacted woman, adding visual evidence of their association[4].

Jan 30 2026 – The Justice Department posts roughly three million pages, 2,000 videos and 180,000 images in a third tranche of Epstein files, fulfilling the Epstein Files Transparency Act after missing a Dec. 19 deadline[11].

Jan 31 2026 – The DOJ adds over three million pages of records to its website, including emails linking Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Howard Lutnick to Epstein, and notes that investigators question the nature of Epstein’s final communications[12].

Jan 31 2026 – Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche warns that “there’s a hunger, or a thirst, for information that I don’t think will be satisfied” by the released documents, while acknowledging redaction challenges[15].

Feb 3 2026 – The Department of Justice releases millions of documents naming former President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Elon Musk and Prince Andrew, prompting renewed public scrutiny of their past contacts with Epstein[5].

Feb 4 2026 – The DOJ releases another tranche of millions of files, and Deputy Attorney General Blanche downplays criminality by stating “it isn’t a crime to party with Mr. Epstein,” sparking criticism from victims’ advocates[7].

Feb 4 2026 – President Donald Trump tells CNN he has not read the newly released files that name Elon Musk and Howard Lutnick, saying “I have a lot of things I’m doing… I’m sure they’re fine” and urging focus on other issues[8].

Feb 4 2026 – Melinda French Gates tells NPR’s “Wild Card” that the DOJ documents revive “unbelievable sadness” and “very, very painful times” from her marriage, emphasizing that accountability lies with those named, including her ex‑husband[2][9].

Feb 4 2026 – Representative Ro Khanna says wealthy elites “knowingly sought Epstein’s island despite his crimes,” while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez and Rep. Thomas Massie call for full disclosure of the remaining files[7][8].

Feb 5 2026 – In a 9News Australia interview, Bill Gates says, “Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologise,” and reiterates that he never visited Epstein’s island, limiting contact to a few dinners[14].

Feb 5 2026 – Melinda French Gates announces that a full NPR interview will air Thursday, offering more context on the painful memories and victims’ suffering highlighted by the document dump[6].

Feb 5 2026 – The DOJ releases a new tranche linking Bill Gates to Epstein, including the July 2013 draft emails and photos of Gates with Prince Andrew, prompting Gates to again deny any wrongdoing and call the claims “false”[4].

Feb 5 2026 – Elon Musk reiterates he never attended an Epstein‑hosted party, while Bill Gates and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman publicly express regret over their past contacts with Epstein, as highlighted in the latest document release[17].

Feb 23 2026 – New U.S. files expand the list of powerful figures linked to Epstein, featuring Elon Musk’s 2012‑13 island‑party emails, Bill Gates’ disputed resignation‑letter drafts, and Prince Andrew’s photographs, while the individuals deny criminal conduct[1].

Social media (2 posts)

Dive deeper (12 sub-stories)

All related articles (17 articles)

External resources (82 links)