Epstein Files Detail Ties to Royals, CEOs, and World Leaders
A newly released trove of Justice Department documents connected to investigations into Jeffrey Epstein offers an expansive look at the disgraced financier’s network of relationships, naming tech executives, politicians, financiers, and foreign dignitaries who maintained contact with him over decades.
None of the individuals named in the files have been charged with crimes related to Epstein’s sexual abuse of girls and young women. All have denied any involvement in his criminal conduct. Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
The records show that many of the relationships continued even after Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl and became widely known as an alleged sexual predator.
Prince Andrew and Royal Ties
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Britain’s Prince Andrew, appears hundreds of times in the newly released documents. His relationship with Epstein has long drawn scrutiny, including allegations from the late Virginia Roberts Giuffre that Epstein trafficked her and instructed her to have sex with Andrew when she was 17.
Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied the allegations. Late last year, King Charles III stripped him of his remaining royal titles, including the right to be called a prince and the Duke of York.
The documents include Epstein emails referencing invitations to dine at Buckingham Palace, an offer to introduce Andrew to a 26-year-old Russian woman, and photographs appearing to show Andrew kneeling over an unidentified woman.
Sarah Ferguson’s Continued Contact
Sarah Ferguson, Andrew’s former wife, publicly apologized in 2011 for allowing Epstein to help pay off her debts and said she would have “nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again.”
However, emails show that two months later she sought Epstein’s advice ahead of an appearance on Oprah Winfrey’s television 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 responded by downplaying his conviction, writing that he had been “unfairly characterized as a pedophile by the tabloid press.”
Elon Musk and Richard Branson
Elon Musk appears several times in email exchanges from 2012 and 2013 discussing potential visits to Epstein’s private Caribbean island. It is unclear whether those visits occurred. Musk has said he declined Epstein’s invitations.
“Epstein tried to get me to go to his island and I REFUSED,” Musk posted on X in 2025.
Virgin Group founder Richard Branson also exchanged numerous emails with Epstein, including a 2013 message inviting him to Branson’s private island.
“As long as you bring your harem!” Branson wrote.
Virgin said in a statement that Branson’s interactions with Epstein were limited, occurred more than a decade ago, and ended after allegations became clear.
Presidents and Political Figures
Donald Trump and Bill Clinton both appear frequently in the files. Epstein was known to socialize with both men years before his arrest.
The documents include references to Trump in emails sharing news articles, political gossip, and a Justice Department spreadsheet summarizing unverified tips involving prominent figures. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said many tips were “quickly determined to not be credible.”
Clinton’s representatives have said he cut ties with Epstein after criminal charges were filed in 2006. None of Epstein’s victims have accused Clinton of wrongdoing.
Business and Sports Power Brokers
Steven Tisch, co-owner of the New York Giants, is mentioned more than 400 times. Emails show Epstein offering to connect him with women. Tisch acknowledged knowing Epstein but said he never visited his island.
“We had a brief association where we exchanged emails about adult women,” Tisch said. “As we all know now, he was a terrible person and someone I deeply regret associating with.”
Larry Summers, former Treasury secretary and Harvard president, also appears repeatedly. Previously released documents show Summers contacting Epstein in 2019 after new charges were filed. Summers has called the relationship “a major error of judgment.”
Ghislaine Maxwell Correspondence
Casey Wasserman, president of the committee for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, exchanged flirtatious emails with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell in 2003. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking.
Wasserman said the correspondence occurred “long before her horrific crimes came to light” and that he never had a relationship with Epstein.
International Figures
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and his wife appear frequently in the documents, showing continued contact with Epstein after his 2008 conviction. Barak has said he never observed inappropriate behavior.
Howard Lutnick, President Trump’s commerce secretary, appears in records showing visits to Epstein’s island with his family. The Commerce Department said Lutnick had “limited interactions” and has never been accused of wrongdoing.
Sergey Brin, Google co-founder, appears in early emails arranging meetings with Epstein and Maxwell before allegations became public.
Steve Bannon exchanged hundreds of texts with Epstein discussing politics, travel, and a documentary idea. He has not commented.
Miroslav Lajcak, a Slovak national security adviser, resigned after his communications with Epstein were revealed. He said the contacts were part of diplomatic duties and denied wrongdoing.
What the Files Show
The documents illustrate Epstein’s vast social reach but do not necessarily establish criminal wrongdoing by those named. Investigators emphasize that appearances in the files do not imply guilt.
Still, the records starkly illustrate how Epstein continued to enjoy access to powerful political, business, and social circles long after credible allegations of sexual abuse against minors were public. For survivors, the correspondence exposes a culture in which their suffering was sidelined or ignored, allowing Epstein’s influence and protection to persist.
The release has intensified calls for accountability, transparency, and a deeper reckoning with how institutions and individuals failed to act while harm continued.
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