Elon Musk and Jeffrey Epstein emailed each other for years trying to meet up, new Justice Department records show

The Justice Department’s latest release of files from the federal inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein revealed continuous contact between the now-deceased sex offender and Tesla CEO Elon Musk between 2012 and 2014, including discussions of social visits, plans to visit Epstein’s notorious private Caribbean island, and a visit by Epstein to SpaceX accompanied by multiple women.

Despite Musk’s claim that he refused to visit Epstein’s private island, Little St. James,  and knew that Epstein was a “creep,” the documents contain multiple instances of Musk discussing such visits, coordinating times and dates and helicopter pickups. 

Although some efforts reached advanced stages of planning, it was unclear if any visits happened.

Musk’s own emails show him looking to Epstein for parties. On December 25, 2012, responding to an island invitation, Musk wrote: “Do you have any parties planned? I’ve been working to the edge of sanity this year and so, once my kids head home after Christmas, I really want to hit the party scene in St Barts or elsewhere and let loose.” He continued by explaining that while he appreciated Epstein’s invitation, “a peaceful island experience is the opposite of what I’m looking for.” 

Epstein responded, saying that he understood and invited him to St Barts, because “the ratio on my island might make Talilah uncomfortable.” Musk replied, “ratio is not a problem for Talulah.”

At the same time, the correspondence between the two contain multiple instances in which Musk actively discussed visiting Epstein’s private island and making plans to do so. On September 25, 2012, Epstein invited Musk, writing: “If you find some time, come visit me on my island in the caribean. bring your friend or friends. i will be there most of nov and dec.” Musk replied affirmatively the same day: “Sounds good, will try to make it.”

Over the following weeks, the emails shifted from vague invitations to concrete planning. In October 2012, Musk told Epstein that he and his then-wife, Talulah Musk, would be in the Caribbean at the end of the year and assumed Epstein would be on his island. Epstein replied that Musk’s assumption was correct and offered transportation, writing: “an easy but correct assumption… we will catch up either in ny, or i will send a heli to st bart for you, 45 minutes away.”

The exchanges then narrow down the timing. On November 2, 2012, Musk asked Epstein directly: “What’s a good time to come over between Dec 23 and 30?” Epstein responded that it would be “Probably after Xmas day. Any day, lets choose a sunny one,” adding, “Glad you are coming.” Musk followed up by proposing firm dates: “Let’s aim for Dec 28, 29 or 30. Looking forward to it.” 

The pattern continued the following year. In November 2013, Epstein again invited Musk to come to the Caribbean over Christmas. “will you come to caribean this xmas?” Epstein asked, adding that “woody allen” would be with him. Musk replied: “Yes.” Epstein responded: “great.”

In December 2013, the emails again became logistical. Musk told Epstein he would be in the British Virgin Islands and St. Barts over the holidays and asked when would be a good time to visit. Epstein replied that “any day 1st – 8th” would work and added, “always space for you.” Musk followed up: “When should we head to your island on the 2nd?” Epstein replied that January 2 or 3 would be “perfect” and said he would “come and get you.” 

A few days later, Epstein cancelled, citing work obligations. “I was really looking forward to finally spending some time together with just fun as the agenda,” he wrote to Musk.

Internal scheduling documents further corroborate the planning. A calendar prepared by Epstein’s assistant, Lesley Groff, for December 6, 2014, includes a reminder reading: “Elon Musk to island Dec. 6 (is this still happening?).” Separate logs from January 2013 also show Epstein informing an associate that he was “meeting elon musk for lunch.”

Epstein SpaceX visit

The documents also show Epstein visiting SpaceX in California in late February 2013. On February 22, 2013, Epstein’s assistant, Lesley Groff, emailed Musk stating: “I have now sent you a copy of all 3 girls passports (sorry [redacted] is upside down! But I figure you will print!). Jeffrey will have his ID with him.” 

Two days later, on February 24, 2013, Epstein described the planned visit explicitly in an email sent to Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, writing: “the girls and i are going to see elon musk at space x tomorrow, are you around,” while coordinating transportation and logistics in Southern California and noting elsewhere in the thread that he was already in Long Beach. The following day, February 25, Groff confirmed that the visit was planned in another email, writing that “Jeffrey Epstein and 3 of his assistants are in CA and going to visit SpaceX at 1:00 today, Monday Feb 25th.”

Epstein, on February 26, 2013, emailed Musk thanking him for the tour. “You would have had fun at xmas.” Musk replied and said “I see,” with a smiley face.

The documents do not identify the women, state their ages or describe what occurred during the SpaceX visit itself.

Separately, in September 2013, Epstein contacted Musk about potential plans surrounding the opening of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. “Any plans for ny,” Epstein wrote, adding that “the opening of the general assembly has many interesting people coming to the house.” Musk responded several hours later, declining the invitation. “I run and lead product design/engineering for two complicated companies. Moreover, SpaceX is about to launch what is arguably the most advanced rocket in history. Flying to NY to see UN diplomats do nothing would be an unwise use of time,” Musk wrote. Later the same day, Epstein replied with a comment joking about the social scene, writing: “just kidding, there is no one over 25 and all very cute.” The email chain ends there, with no indication of further response or attendance.

Redacted woman wearing a Spacex shirt

The document set also includes a photograph sent by Epstein on July 12, 2013, to another individual whose name is redacted. The image shows a woman seated outdoors on grass wearing a black T-shirt with the word “SpaceX” printed across the chest. Her face is obscured in the version produced. No accompanying text explains who the woman is, how she obtained the shirt, or where the photograph was taken.

Representatives for Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On X, Musk replied “wow” to a Daily Mail article referencing mentions of Bill Gates in the Epstein files. He has otherwise been silent about the documents.

Epstein’s interest in Musk’s ventures

Epstein appeared to have taken an interest in Musk’s businesses. 

“Is there any one at Solar City that my guys can talk to about electriying t=e [sic] caribbean island? or the new mexico ranch,” Epstein wrote to Musk on Oct. 4, 2012. Musk forwarded the email to SolarCity co-founder and his first cousin Peter Rive, asking, “Are we in New Mexico?”

SolarCity was a solar energy services company of which Musk was the chairman and largest stakeholder. Tesla acquired the company for $2.6 billion in 2016, and it eventually became Tesla Energy.

In 2013, Epstein reached out to Musk about a potential expansion of Tesla to Israel, writing in an email that Ehud Barak, former Israeli prime minister and minister of defense, wanted to discuss  with Musk taking Tesla to Israel. 

“he is very clever about many things that you have in the past shown interest in, when you are next on my coast let me know,” Epstein wrote.

Musk responded, “understood, how are you im in santa fe for august, come visit,” and later, “Not a week passes without a request from someone important in Israel (and other countries) wanting to bring Tesla there. What they don’t appreciate is that Tesla is production constrained, not demand constrained. When production has increased to the point of addressing the major markets, then we will start shipping to tiny markets.”

Another document in the files shows a proposed $2.6 million contract from ProSolar Systems for Little St. James Island. The contract included a proposal for the installation of 1,839 solar panels and Tesla powerpacks or inverters used to store and convert solar energy. The contract was not signed. It was also not dated, but contained a warranty for a Tesla powerpack system that would have been effective in September 2017.

Musk was linked with the Epstein files back in September 2025, when the House Oversight Committee Democrats released a slew of records from Epstein’s estate. Included in the more than 8,500 documents released at the time was evidence suggesting Musk was scheduled to visit Epstein’s island on Dec. 6, 2014.

“This is false,” Musk wrote on X about his name appearing in the documents.

In June 2025, amidst a feud with President Donald Trump, Musk wrote on X, “Time to drop the really big bomb. @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public.”

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com