Elon Musk, Steve Bannon, and Peter Thiel Named in Newly Released Epstein Documents
New documents related to Jeffrey Epstein have been released by the Democratic faction of the U.S. House of Representatives’ investigative committee. These documents, obtained from the Justice Department and the Epstein estate, reveal potential connections between Epstein and several prominent figures, including Elon Musk, Steve Bannon, and Peter Thiel, primarily after his 2007 conviction and subsequent requirement to register as a sex offender.
Details of the Document Mentions
The documents highlight specific instances of potential interaction. A December 2014 agenda mentions a possible trip by Elon Musk to Epstein's private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, stating, "Reminder: Elon Musk to island 6 Dec (is this still happening?)." Musk responded on X (formerly Twitter) with a concise "This is not true."
Furthermore, in November 2017, Jeffrey Epstein reportedly had lunch with tech investor and Republican donor Peter Thiel. Thiel, a German-American billionaire, is a co-founder of PayPal, an early investor in Facebook, and a significant donor to Donald Trump's initial presidential campaign.
In February 2019, just months before his arrest, Epstein allegedly had breakfast with Steve Bannon, a former top advisor to President Donald Trump.
Reactions and Controversy
The surfacing of these contacts, particularly post-Epstein’s 2007 plea deal, has reignited criticism. Critics argue that the lenient agreement allowed Epstein to continue his abuse for years. Sara Guerrero, a spokesperson for the Democratic faction of the committee, stated, "It should be clear to every American that Jeffrey Epstein was friends with some of the most powerful and richest men in the world." She also noted that each new document release brings new information to light.
However, the Republican opposition on the committee has accused the Democrats of selectively releasing documents, potentially withholding information that could be damaging to Democrats. As of now, Musk, Thiel, and Bannon have not officially commented on the released documents.
Additional Context and Prince Andrew's Involvement
The mention of Elon Musk is noteworthy because Trump's former financier previously linked the former president himself to Epstein. Musk had previously stated that he had been invited by Epstein to his private island but claimed to have declined the invitation. Additionally, a flight manifest from 2000 lists Prince Andrew as a passenger on Epstein's plane, further highlighting the widespread network of influential individuals associated with Epstein.
