Following the release of millions of new documents by the US government as part of its investigation into the disgraced financier, the list of some of the world’s wealthiest and most influential figures with connections to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has expanded.
The latest release, known as the Epstein files, was made public on January 30 and includes three million pages, 180,000 photographs and 2,000 videos. Several high-profile individuals are referenced in the material, including Richard Branson, Bill Gates and Elon Musk.
Inclusion in the documents does not suggest any wrongdoing. Many individuals named in previous releases have denied any misconduct in connection with Epstein.
The disclosure comes weeks after a deadline set under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which was signed into law by US President Donald Trump in November and required the full release of all documents relating to Epstein.
However, Democratic lawmakers, along with some Republicans, say the Trump administration has not yet met its obligations and is continuing to withhold additional documents.
Important Note: Being mentioned in these records does not imply any legal wrongdoing. Numerous individuals appearing in the files have consistently denied any misconduct involving Epstein.
A list of some of the individuals referenced in the most recent publication can be viewed here.
Elon Musk
Despite Elon Musk’s repeated claims that he has never visited Jeffrey Epstein’s private island, the newly released documents include email exchanges between Epstein and the tech billionaire discussing travel arrangements that Epstein appeared to be organising.
In one email dated November 2012, Musk asked: “What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?”
In another message sent in December of the same year, Musk wrote that he was eager to “hit the party scene in St. Barts or elsewhere and let loose”, adding that a “peaceful island experience” was not what he was looking for.
Responding to the release, Musk said in a post on X in January that his concern lay with ensuring punishment for “those who committed serious crimes with Epstein”, rather than with emails being used to “smear my name”.
Bill Gates
Two emails dated July 18, 2013, which appear to have been written by Epstein, are included in the documents, although it remains unclear whether they were ever delivered to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
One email, presented as a resignation letter from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, complains about the need to buy medication for Gates “to deal with the consequences of sex with Russian girls”.
The second email, which begins with “dear Bill”, accuses Gates of ending a friendship and attempting to hide a sexually transmitted virus, including from his former wife, Melinda.
Melinda Gates said in an interview with NPR that the publication of the records brought back memories of difficulties during their marriage. “I’m able to look at those young girls and say, my God, how did that happen to those girls while still feeling sad,” she said. “I’ve been able to go on in life, at least for me, and I hope those now-women receive some justice.”
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for Gates told the BBC: “These claims – from a proven, disgruntled liar – are absolutely absurd and completely false.”
Donald Trump
The newly released documents include hundreds of references to the US president, among them a list of allegations submitted by callers to the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center tip line over the past year.
Many of the claims appear to have been made without supporting evidence and are based on unverified tips received by the agency.
The list contains numerous allegations of sexual abuse involving Trump, Epstein and other high-profile figures.
Reaction: Epstein’s victims have not accused Trump of any crimes, and he has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, saying he severed ties with him decades ago.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
The latest Epstein document release also contains photographs that appear to show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor crouching on all fours above a woman lying on the ground.
In two of the images, the woman—who is anonymous and fully clothed—appears to be touched on the stomach by the former prince. In another photograph, he is shown looking directly into the camera.
It is not known when or where the images were taken, and no additional background information is provided in the files.
Reaction: Mountbatten-Windsor has been contacted by BBC News for comment and has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Richard Branson
The documents contain hundreds of references to Virgin Group founder Richard Branson.
In one exchange from 2013, Epstein thanks Branson for advice on hospitality and public relations. Branson replies that it was “really nice” to see him, adding: “Any time you’re in the area would love to see you. As long as your harem is with you!”
Virgin Group said the term “harem” referred to three adult members of Epstein’s staff.
In a statement to the BBC, Virgin Group said Branson had met Epstein on “only a few occasions more than twelve years ago”, and that these encounters were limited to group or business settings, including a charity tennis event.
The statement added that when Epstein offered a charitable donation, the Bransons asked their team to carry out due diligence before accepting it. That process uncovered serious allegations, leading Virgin Unite to decline the donation. Richard and Joan Branson then decided to have no further contact with Epstein.
The statement said Branson considers Epstein’s actions to have been reprehensible and supports the right of his many victims to seek justice, adding that had the full picture been known at the time, there would have been no communication at all.
Sarah Ferguson
Several emails in the documents appear to refer to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s former wife, Sarah Ferguson, who is consistently referred to as Fergie, including during the period when Epstein was under house arrest.
In one email sent from an account alleged to belong to Epstein, a message reads: “I think Fergie can now say, I am not a pedo.”
Another email exchange from April 2009 includes a request for a “quick cup of tea” with Epstein, and contains the line: “My dear spectacular and special friend Jeffrey. I am so proud of you because you are a legend.”
Reaction: There is no evidence of wrongdoing in the emails. Ferguson has been approached by the BBC for comment.
Lord Mandelson
Bank statements included in the released files show that Epstein sent $75,000 (£55,000) to accounts linked to Lord Mandelson, including payments to his companion, Reinaldo Avila da Silva.
Lord Mandelson is reportedly the subject of a criminal investigation by the Metropolitan Police over allegations that he provided Epstein with market-sensitive information.
In a 2009 email, Da Silva asked Epstein for “anything you can help me with,” a year after Epstein had pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a child. Epstein responded, “I will wire your loan amount immediately.”
Another email shows Epstein saying he was “thrilled to host and sad I’m not there” after arranging a room for Mandelson at one of his New York residences.
In response to the documents, Lord Mandelson announced plans to leave the House of Lords. He expressed regret for “ever having known Epstein” and for continuing their relationship after Epstein’s conviction. Mandelson told the BBC that he “was never culpable or complicit in [Epstein’s] crimes” and that, after Epstein’s death, he discovered the truth about him like everyone else. While he has not directly addressed allegations regarding document leaks, Mandelson maintains that he committed no crimes and sought Epstein’s expertise during the 2008 global financial crisis in the interest of the country.
Steve Bannon
The files also contain thousands of messages that appear to have been exchanged between Epstein and Steve Bannon, a former top aide to Donald Trump.
Most of the messages date from 2018 and 2019, after Bannon left his role in the first Trump White House to work on a film project about Epstein prior to Epstein’s death.
In one text exchange, Bannon and Epstein appear to discuss strategies for shaping public perception, including lines such as “First we need to push back on the lies” and “rebuild your image as philanthropist.”
Reaction: When contacted by the BBC, Bannon—who is not accused of any wrongdoing—did not respond.
Miroslav Lajčák
Miroslav Lajčák, Slovakia’s foreign minister at the time, appears in the documents in a text exchange with Epstein from October 2018, in which the two discuss women and diplomacy.
In one message, Lajčák responds to a picture sent by Epstein, which is not visible in the released records: “Why don’t you invite me to these games? The ‘MI’ girl is the one I would choose.” Epstein replies: “Who wouldn’t? I’m not possessive, so you may have both of them. And their sisters.”
Reaction: Lajčák resigned from his role as Slovakia’s national security advisor following the release of the most recent Epstein papers. He is not accused of any crimes.
Howard Lutnick
Emails included in the latest release suggest that US Commerce Department Secretary and billionaire businessman Howard Lutnick organized a family trip to Epstein’s private island, Little Saint James.
Two emails from Lutnick’s wife, Allison, appear to have been sent to Epstein’s assistant just before the trip in December 2012. They read: “We are looking forward to visiting you” and “We would love to join you for lunch.”
A few days prior, Lutnick sent an email to a redacted recipient stating: “Hi Jeff… Does Sunday evening for dinner sound good?”
Reaction: The US Commerce Department told the BBC that “Secretary Lutnick had limited interactions with Mr. Epstein in the presence of his wife and has never been accused of wrongdoing.”
Larry Summers
The new documents also reference meetings and dinners between Jeffrey Epstein and Larry Summers, the former US Treasury Secretary and president of Harvard University under President Bill Clinton.
Emails from 2017 show Summers and Epstein mocking and criticizing Donald Trump throughout his first term. In one message to Summers, Epstein wrote of Trump: “Your world does not understand how dumb he really is.”
In response to the release of these records, Summers acknowledged that he accepted “full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein” and resigned from several positions, including his seat on the OpenAI advisory board, after being named in a batch of Epstein files made public in November.
Steve Tisch
The documents reveal that Steve Tisch, co-owner of the New York Giants, inquired about a woman he met at Epstein’s residence.
In one email, Tisch asked whether the woman was a “civilian” or a professional. Epstein also described a woman he intended to bring to Tisch as “Tahitian, speaks mostly French, exotic” and mentioned that he had a “present” for him.
Reaction: Tisch told CNN that he “had a brief association” with Epstein, “did not take him up on any of his invitations and never went to his island.”
Brett Ratner
The files show director Brett Ratner, known for films such as Rush Hour and X-Men: The Last Stand, sitting on a sofa with Epstein and two unidentified women, appearing to hug one of the women.
Reaction: The records provide no evidence of wrongdoing. Ratner’s representative has been approached by the BBC for comment.
Peter Attia
The most recent documents show that Epstein exchanged hundreds of emails with anti-aging advocate and CBS News contributor Peter Attia, some of which contained crude remarks.
In the emails, Attia discussed a 2018 Miami Herald article that named several of Epstein’s victims and indicated that he could openly acknowledge his acquaintance with Epstein.
The correspondence also included jokes about female anatomy and sexual acts with Epstein.
Reaction: Attia denied any criminal involvement in a statement on X on February 2, saying, “I was never on his plane, never on his island, and never present at any sex parties.”
Casey Wasserman
The files also reveal flirtatious emails from Casey Wasserman, head of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, to Epstein’s imprisoned associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
In a 2003 email, 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?”
Maxwell, who recruited and trafficked underage girls to be sexually assaulted by Epstein before his death in 2019, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.
Reaction: Wasserman told the BBC, “I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell which took place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light.”
Sergey Brin
The documents indicate that Google co-founder Sergey Brin, one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, visited Epstein’s private island and dined at his New York City residence.
Brin also exchanged emails with Ghislaine Maxwell. In April 2003, Maxwell wrote to Brin: “Look forward to seeing you” and “Dinners at Jeffrey’s are always happily casual and relaxed.” Another email from Maxwell invited Brin to a movie screening in New York.
Reaction: Google has been contacted by the BBC for comment. The correspondence does not indicate any misconduct.
Ehud Barak
The newly released Epstein-related documents also reference former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, showing repeated correspondence between him and Epstein following Epstein’s 2008 sex crime conviction in Florida.
One email indicates that Barak was scheduled to stay at Epstein’s New York City residence in 2017.
Reaction: Barak stated that while he frequently interacted with Epstein, he never witnessed or participated in any improper behavior or events.
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