• DoJ-released documents include email exchanges in December 2013 between Elon Musk and Jeffrey Epstein about a potential visit to Epstein’s private island.
  • Messages show the pair coordinated dates and discussed travel plans; Epstein later said he couldn’t meet.
  • Separate emails reference a possible lunch at SpaceX and Epstein congratulating Musk after a 2013 rocket launch.

What the newly released files show

Emails published by the Department of Justice on 30 January 2026 include messages between Elon Musk and Jeffrey Epstein from late 2013. In the exchanges, Musk asks when it would be a good time to visit Epstein’s private island, Little St James, and the two coordinate possible dates over several messages.

A December 13, 2013 message from Musk states: “Will be in the BVI/St Bart’s area over the holidays. Is there a good time to visit?” Epstein replies: “any day 1st – 8th. play it by ear if you want. always space for you.” The pair appear to settle on 2 January, but Epstein later tells Musk he must remain in New York and expresses disappointment that they could not meet.

Other interactions in the documents

The tranche of documents also contains an exchange in which Epstein’s assistant, Lesley Groff, appears to arrange a lunch at SpaceX on 25 February 2013, writing: “Elon Musk appreciates the invitation to the Ranch but has commitments… Lunch on Monday Feb.25th at 1pm at Space X is confirmed”. The record does not make clear whether Musk attended the lunch.

Another set of emails shows Epstein congratulating Musk after a SpaceX launch in March 2013 and subsequent back-and-forth messages.

Musk’s past statements and denials

Musk has previously denied close ties to Epstein. In a 2019 interview with Vanity Fair he called Epstein “obviously a creep” and said Epstein “tried repeatedly to get me to visit his island. I declined.” After earlier document releases, Musk posted on X denying he had planned an island visit: “This is false.” (See Musk’s X post: https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1278940731516780544)

The newly released emails appear to contradict some of those public denials by showing direct messaging and scheduling attempts. The DOJ released more than three million pages of files related to Epstein in this tranche; these exchanges are a small part of that larger release.

What comes next

Representatives for Musk and his AI company, xAI, did not immediately respond to requests for comment at the time the documents were released. The emails add to ongoing public scrutiny over Epstein’s connections to prominent figures and are likely to renew calls for clarity from those named in the records.

Primary source: Department of Justice documents released 30 January 2026. Related reporting by The Guardian.

Embedded link: Musk’s X denial: https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1278940731516780544

YouTube (The Guardian channel): https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGuardian

Image Referance: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/30/elon-musk-epstein-files-island-visits