Elon Musk, Peter Thiel named in newly released Epstein documents

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
27 Sep 2025 13:11
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Redacted Justice Department records reveal Epstein’s ties to Musk, Thiel, Bannon, and Prince Andrew, fueling partisan clashes in Congress over full disclosure.

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This March 28, 2017, photo, provided by the New York State Sex Offender Registry, shows Jeffrey Epstein. (New York State Sex Offender Registry via AP, File)

Democratic lawmakers on Friday released redacted documents from the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein that reference interactions between the disgraced financier and several high-profile conservatives, including Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and Steve Bannon.

The six pages of records, provided by the Justice Department to the House Oversight Committee, are part of the panel’s probe into how federal authorities handled sex-trafficking charges against Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019.

The documents include excerpts from Epstein’s calendar showing a planned breakfast with Bannon in February 2019, a lunch with Thiel in November 2017, and a potential trip by Musk to Epstein’s private island in December 2014. A 2000 manifest for Epstein’s plane lists Prince Andrew, while a financial disclosure from the same year indicates payments to an “Andrew” for “Massage, Exercise, Yoga.”

The release follows public comments by Musk earlier this year, in which he criticized US President Donald Trump over the handling of Epstein-related records and questioned why the so-called “Epstein files” had not been made public.

Wider context

Sara Guerrero, spokesperson for the House Oversight Committee, said the new documents highlight the breadth of Epstein’s network. “It should be clear to every American that Jeffrey Epstein was friends with some of the most powerful and wealthiest men in the world,” she said.

The disclosures have sparked partisan tensions. Republican committee members accused Democrats of selectively releasing documents to fit a political narrative, promising that “all documents” would be made public soon. Committee ranking member Robert Garcia, a Democrat from California, countered: “We don’t care how wealthy or powerful you are – or if you are a Democrat or Republican. If you are in the Epstein documents and files, we are going to expose it, and bring justice for the survivors. Release ALL THE FILES NOW!”

Meanwhile, Democrats are advancing legislation in the House to require the full release of Epstein-related files. The measure, which would need 218 votes to pass, must also secure Senate approval and the president’s signature, hurdles that could prove difficult given Republican leaders’ limited interest.

This comes shortly after Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, dismissed documents released by Epstein’s estate that appear to show Trump’s signature and a typewritten birthday message inserted into a sketch of a nude woman.

“The president has one of the most famous signatures in the world. The president did not write that letter. He did not sign those documents,” Leavitt insisted.

But reporters, including Maggie Haberman of The New York Times, pressed further, asking why Trump’s name appeared if the documents were inauthentic.

What makes the episode especially damaging is that Trump’s reaction is very un-Trumpian. His refusal to confront the scandal directly, coupled with legal maneuvers and dismissive denials, has only fueled speculation that the files contain revelations that could be politically devastating.

Keir Starmer sacks ambassador to US over undisclosed Epstein ties

Earlier this month, Labour Party leader Keir Starmer dismissed Peter Mandelson from his role as UK ambassador to the US following revelations about his longstanding ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty informed Parliament that Mandelson had failed to disclose the extent and depth of his relationship with Epstein when he was appointed. Newly surfaced emails show Mandelson defending Epstein’s 2008 conviction, calling it wrongful and encouraging him to challenge it.

A Foreign Office spokesperson stated, “In light of the additional information in emails written by Peter Mandelson, the prime minister has asked the foreign secretary to withdraw him as ambassador."

The statement emphasized that the contents of the emails significantly altered the government’s understanding of Mandelson’s association with Epstein.