Shocking revelations: Epstein files uncover high-profile connections
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Feb 03, 2026, 21:21 IST
Recent disclosures from the Justice Department unveil startling linkages between Jeffrey Epstein and high-profile personalities. Among those named are tech titans, members of royalty, and political figures. The records highlight engagements with prominent names such as Elon Musk, Prince Andrew, and Donald Trump.
The final batch of files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case has been released by the Justice Department, revealing correspondence and connections between Epstein and numerous powerful individuals, including tech titans, Wall Street figures, and foreign dignitaries. These individuals, who have all denied any involvement in Epstein's sexual abuse of girls and young women, maintained friendships or developed new ones with him even after his alleged offenses became widely known. None have been charged with a crime connected to the investigation, and Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019.
Elon Musk, Britain’s former Prince Andrew, New York Giants co-owner Steven Tisch, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Google co-founder Sergey Brin are among the powerful men named in the Epstein files. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the release, stating the Justice Department does not possess a secret "client list" of abusers.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Britain’s Prince Andrew, is mentioned hundreds of times in the documents. His relationship with Epstein has been a subject of scrutiny, including allegations from Virginia Roberts Giuffre that she was trafficked by Epstein and instructed to have sex with Mountbatten-Windsor when she was 17. The former prince has denied these allegations. Correspondence includes an invitation for Epstein to dine at Buckingham Palace, Epstein's offer to introduce Mountbatten-Windsor to a 26-year-old Russian woman, and photos that appear to show Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling over an unidentified woman.
Donald Trump's interactions with Epstein are also detailed, with thousands of references in the new trove of documents. Emails show Epstein and others shared news articles about Trump, commented on his policies or politics, or gossiped about him and his family. A spreadsheet summarizing calls made to law enforcement tip lines regarding alleged wrongdoing by Trump was also disclosed. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the FBI received "hundreds of calls" about prominent individuals that were "quickly determined to not be credible."
Bill Clinton spent time with Epstein more than two decades ago, including flying on his private jet and seeing him at the White House. Clinton has denied any knowledge of Epstein's wrongdoing, and his representatives state he broke off relations after Epstein's first criminal charges in 2006. The investigative file includes snapshots of Clinton and other famous people that Epstein kept, as well as messages from the public questioning why Clinton was not being investigated. None of Epstein's victims have publicly accused Clinton of involvement in his crimes.
Elon Musk appears in email exchanges discussing visiting Epstein’s Caribbean island compound in 2012 and 2013, though it is unclear if these visits occurred. Musk has stated he repeatedly refused Epstein's overtures.
“Epstein tried to get me to go to his island and I REFUSED.”
Howard Lutnick, U.S. Commerce Secretary, visited Epstein’s private Caribbean island with his family in December 2012, according to released records. This appears to contradict prior statements where he claimed to have cut ties with Epstein decades ago. Emails show Lutnick and his wife accepted an invitation to Little St. James in the U.S. Virgin Islands and planned to arrive by yacht with their children. Lutnick also had drinks with Epstein in 2011 and corresponded about building construction. The Commerce Department stated Lutnick had "limited interactions with Mr. Epstein in the presence of his wife and has never been accused of wrongdoing."
Brett Ratner is featured in several photographs within the government's files. One photo shows him with Jean Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent who died in jail awaiting trial on rape charges. Other photos appear to show Ratner sitting with Epstein, Brunel, and two young women, with Ratner's arms around one of the women.
Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, publicly apologized in March 2011 for allowing Epstein to pay off some of her debts. She stated she would have "nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again." However, two months later, she emailed Epstein seeking his advice on how to answer questions about their relationship on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
“I just want to make sure you are aware of this and seek your advice on how you would like me to answer,” Ferguson wrote.
Epstein replied, “Jeffrey was unfairly characterized as a pedophile by the tabloid press. Many years ago jeffrey pleaded guilty to soliciting underage prostitutes. He paid his debt to society and has sought forgiveness. I have nothing more to say.”
Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, exchanged numerous emails with Epstein. In a 2013 exchange, Branson invited Epstein to his private Caribbean island, writing, “Any time you’re in the area would love to see you. As long as you bring your harem!” In another message that year, he suggested Epstein rehabilitate his image by having Bill Gates publicly state that Epstein had been a "brilliant adviser to him." Branson's company stated that any dealings with Epstein were "limited to group or business settings" more than a decade ago and that they declined a donation and decided not to meet or speak with him again after uncovering serious allegations.
Steve Bannon, a former adviser to Trump, exchanged hundreds of friendly texts with Epstein, discussing politics, travel, and a documentary Bannon was planning to help salvage Epstein’s reputation. In one 2019 message, Bannon asked Epstein if he could supply his plane to pick him up in Rome.
Steven Tisch, co-owner of the New York Giants, is mentioned over 400 times in the files. Epstein offered to connect Tisch to numerous women, and in one 2013 email exchange, encouraged Tisch to contact a particular woman, praising her physical beauty. Tisch acknowledged knowing Epstein but denied visiting his Caribbean island.
“We had a brief association where we exchanged emails about adult women, and in addition, we discussed movies, philanthropy and investments,” Tisch said. “As we all know now, he was a terrible person and someone I deeply regret associating with.”
Casey Wasserman, president of the committee for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, exchanged flirty emails with Ghislaine Maxwell. In a 2003 exchange, Wasserman wrote to Maxwell, “I think of you all the time. So, what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?” Wasserman stated he never had a personal or business relationship with Epstein and regretted the correspondence with Maxwell.
Ehud Barak, former Israeli prime minister, and his wife maintained regular contact with Epstein for years, including after his 2008 guilty plea for sex crimes. Correspondence includes plans for a 2017 stay at Epstein’s New York residence and discussions about visits and meetings. Barak acknowledged visiting Epstein and flying on his private plane but maintained he never observed any inappropriate behavior.
Larry Summers, former Secretary of the Treasury and onetime president of Harvard University, had meetings and dinners with Epstein. Previously released documents show Summers emailing Epstein in 2019 after Epstein had been charged with sexual abuse of minors, discussing his interactions with a woman. Summers has called his interactions with Epstein “a major error of judgment.”
Sergey Brin, Google co-founder, made plans to meet with Epstein and Maxwell at his New York townhouse. In a 2003 exchange, Maxwell invited him to a screening and a dinner at Epstein’s house, with Brin offering to bring along Google’s then-CEO Eric Schmidt.
Miroslav Lajcak, a national security adviser to the Slovakian prime minister, resigned after his past communications with Epstein appeared in the document release. Lajcak has not been accused of wrongdoing but was photographed meeting with Epstein. He stated his correspondence with Epstein were part of his diplomatic duties.
Elon Musk, Britain’s former Prince Andrew, New York Giants co-owner Steven Tisch, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Google co-founder Sergey Brin are among the powerful men named in the Epstein files. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the release, stating the Justice Department does not possess a secret "client list" of abusers.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Britain’s Prince Andrew, is mentioned hundreds of times in the documents. His relationship with Epstein has been a subject of scrutiny, including allegations from Virginia Roberts Giuffre that she was trafficked by Epstein and instructed to have sex with Mountbatten-Windsor when she was 17. The former prince has denied these allegations. Correspondence includes an invitation for Epstein to dine at Buckingham Palace, Epstein's offer to introduce Mountbatten-Windsor to a 26-year-old Russian woman, and photos that appear to show Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling over an unidentified woman.
Donald Trump's interactions with Epstein are also detailed, with thousands of references in the new trove of documents. Emails show Epstein and others shared news articles about Trump, commented on his policies or politics, or gossiped about him and his family. A spreadsheet summarizing calls made to law enforcement tip lines regarding alleged wrongdoing by Trump was also disclosed. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the FBI received "hundreds of calls" about prominent individuals that were "quickly determined to not be credible."
Bill Clinton spent time with Epstein more than two decades ago, including flying on his private jet and seeing him at the White House. Clinton has denied any knowledge of Epstein's wrongdoing, and his representatives state he broke off relations after Epstein's first criminal charges in 2006. The investigative file includes snapshots of Clinton and other famous people that Epstein kept, as well as messages from the public questioning why Clinton was not being investigated. None of Epstein's victims have publicly accused Clinton of involvement in his crimes.
Elon Musk appears in email exchanges discussing visiting Epstein’s Caribbean island compound in 2012 and 2013, though it is unclear if these visits occurred. Musk has stated he repeatedly refused Epstein's overtures.
“Epstein tried to get me to go to his island and I REFUSED.”
Howard Lutnick, U.S. Commerce Secretary, visited Epstein’s private Caribbean island with his family in December 2012, according to released records. This appears to contradict prior statements where he claimed to have cut ties with Epstein decades ago. Emails show Lutnick and his wife accepted an invitation to Little St. James in the U.S. Virgin Islands and planned to arrive by yacht with their children. Lutnick also had drinks with Epstein in 2011 and corresponded about building construction. The Commerce Department stated Lutnick had "limited interactions with Mr. Epstein in the presence of his wife and has never been accused of wrongdoing."
Brett Ratner is featured in several photographs within the government's files. One photo shows him with Jean Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent who died in jail awaiting trial on rape charges. Other photos appear to show Ratner sitting with Epstein, Brunel, and two young women, with Ratner's arms around one of the women.
Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, publicly apologized in March 2011 for allowing Epstein to pay off some of her debts. She stated she would have "nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again." However, two months later, she emailed Epstein seeking his advice on how to answer questions about their relationship on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
“I just want to make sure you are aware of this and seek your advice on how you would like me to answer,” Ferguson wrote.
Epstein replied, “Jeffrey was unfairly characterized as a pedophile by the tabloid press. Many years ago jeffrey pleaded guilty to soliciting underage prostitutes. He paid his debt to society and has sought forgiveness. I have nothing more to say.”
Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, exchanged numerous emails with Epstein. In a 2013 exchange, Branson invited Epstein to his private Caribbean island, writing, “Any time you’re in the area would love to see you. As long as you bring your harem!” In another message that year, he suggested Epstein rehabilitate his image by having Bill Gates publicly state that Epstein had been a "brilliant adviser to him." Branson's company stated that any dealings with Epstein were "limited to group or business settings" more than a decade ago and that they declined a donation and decided not to meet or speak with him again after uncovering serious allegations.
Steve Bannon, a former adviser to Trump, exchanged hundreds of friendly texts with Epstein, discussing politics, travel, and a documentary Bannon was planning to help salvage Epstein’s reputation. In one 2019 message, Bannon asked Epstein if he could supply his plane to pick him up in Rome.
Steven Tisch, co-owner of the New York Giants, is mentioned over 400 times in the files. Epstein offered to connect Tisch to numerous women, and in one 2013 email exchange, encouraged Tisch to contact a particular woman, praising her physical beauty. Tisch acknowledged knowing Epstein but denied visiting his Caribbean island.
“We had a brief association where we exchanged emails about adult women, and in addition, we discussed movies, philanthropy and investments,” Tisch said. “As we all know now, he was a terrible person and someone I deeply regret associating with.”
Casey Wasserman, president of the committee for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, exchanged flirty emails with Ghislaine Maxwell. In a 2003 exchange, Wasserman wrote to Maxwell, “I think of you all the time. So, what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?” Wasserman stated he never had a personal or business relationship with Epstein and regretted the correspondence with Maxwell.
Ehud Barak, former Israeli prime minister, and his wife maintained regular contact with Epstein for years, including after his 2008 guilty plea for sex crimes. Correspondence includes plans for a 2017 stay at Epstein’s New York residence and discussions about visits and meetings. Barak acknowledged visiting Epstein and flying on his private plane but maintained he never observed any inappropriate behavior.
Larry Summers, former Secretary of the Treasury and onetime president of Harvard University, had meetings and dinners with Epstein. Previously released documents show Summers emailing Epstein in 2019 after Epstein had been charged with sexual abuse of minors, discussing his interactions with a woman. Summers has called his interactions with Epstein “a major error of judgment.”
Sergey Brin, Google co-founder, made plans to meet with Epstein and Maxwell at his New York townhouse. In a 2003 exchange, Maxwell invited him to a screening and a dinner at Epstein’s house, with Brin offering to bring along Google’s then-CEO Eric Schmidt.
Miroslav Lajcak, a national security adviser to the Slovakian prime minister, resigned after his past communications with Epstein appeared in the document release. Lajcak has not been accused of wrongdoing but was photographed meeting with Epstein. He stated his correspondence with Epstein were part of his diplomatic duties.