In a move that has reignited one of the most explosive scandals in modern history, Congressional Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released a trove of previously sealed documents from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate on September 26, 2025. The files, comprising thousands of pages including daily schedules, flight manifests, and correspondence, paint a vivid picture of the convicted sex offender’s web of connections to the world’s elite. Among the most shocking revelations are mentions of tech billionaire Elon Musk, who was extended an invitation to Epstein’s infamous private island in December 2014, and Britain’s Prince Andrew, whose name appears on a 2000 flight manifest alongside Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Other prominent figures surfaced in the documents include PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, former Trump advisor Steve Bannon, and a tentative breakfast meeting with Microsoft founder Bill Gates. While no new criminal allegations have emerged from these releases, the disclosures have sparked intense scrutiny, forcing public denials and raising fresh questions about the intersections of power, wealth, and moral ambiguity.

The release comes amid ongoing investigations into Epstein’s activities, even six years after his death in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019, officially ruled a suicide but long shrouded in conspiracy theories. Epstein, a financier with a penchant for cultivating relationships with the powerful, was convicted in 2008 for procuring a minor for prostitution and faced federal charges in 2019 for sex trafficking before his demise. His estate has been a battleground for victims’ compensation and document unsealing, with this latest batch—over 8,500 pages—stemming from a push by Democrats to shed light on potential influence peddling and cover-ups. “These documents underscore the need for transparency in how the ultra-wealthy operate,” said a committee spokesperson during a press briefing. “They reveal not just social ties, but the potential for exploitation in elite circles.”

Elon Musk, the 54-year-old CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and owner of X (formerly Twitter), finds himself at the center of the storm. The files detail an entry in Epstein’s 2014 schedule noting an invitation extended to Musk for a visit to Little St. James, the notorious Caribbean island dubbed “Pedophile Island” by critics, where Epstein allegedly hosted illicit gatherings. The notation includes a follow-up query: “Is this still happening?” Musk, who has previously denied any involvement with Epstein, swiftly responded on X within hours of the release. “Epstein tried to get me to go to his island and I REFUSED,” he posted, lambasting media outlets for misleading headlines that placed his name alongside Prince Andrew’s. “Anyone pushing this false narrative deserves complete contempt.” Musk elaborated that he had met Epstein only once, at a Vanity Fair dinner in 2011, and dismissed any deeper connection as fabrication. Despite his vehement denial, the mention has fueled speculation, especially given Musk’s high-profile feuds with regulators and his vocal support for certain political figures.

This isn’t the first time Musk’s name has surfaced in Epstein-related discussions. In 2023 depositions from Virginia Giuffre’s defamation lawsuit against Maxwell, Musk was questioned about potential visits, which he categorically denied. His brother, Kimbal Musk, was also linked through a 2018 New York Times report alleging Epstein had advised on Tesla’s board search during a financial crunch. Elon Musk has consistently portrayed Epstein as a “criminal” who tried to ingratiate himself with Silicon Valley elites. Yet, the 2014 invitation raises eyebrows about how Epstein maintained access to such figures post-conviction. Insiders suggest Epstein leveraged his connections through mutual acquaintances, like former Barclays CEO Jes Staley, who has faced his own Epstein-related scrutiny. Musk’s team has not yet issued a formal statement beyond his social media outburst, but sources close to him indicate he’s considering legal action against outlets for “defamatory implications.”

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York and brother to King Charles III, faces renewed humiliation with his appearance on the 2000 flight manifest. The document logs a trip on Epstein’s private jet, the “Lolita Express,” from Palm Beach to New York, with passengers including Epstein, Maxwell, and an unnamed “female.” Andrew, 65, has long been entangled in the Epstein saga, settling a civil lawsuit with Giuffre in 2022 for an undisclosed sum—reportedly around $16 million—after she accused him of sexual assault when she was 17. Andrew has denied wrongdoing, claiming he never met Giuffre despite a infamous 2001 photo showing them together with Maxwell. The new manifest adds to a pile of evidence, including multiple flights logged in Epstein’s records and emails where Andrew allegedly discussed “playing some more soon” with the financier. Buckingham Palace issued a terse statement: “The Duke of York ceased all contact with Mr. Epstein in 2010 and regrets his association.” However, critics argue the royal family has shielded Andrew, stripping him of titles in 2022 but allowing him to reside at Royal Lodge amid public outcry.

The files also spotlight other luminaries. Peter Thiel, the 57-year-old venture capitalist and PayPal co-founder, appears in Epstein’s 2017 schedule for a potential meeting in New York. Thiel, known for his libertarian views and support for Donald Trump, has not commented, but his name echoes earlier mentions in Epstein’s “black book.” Steve Bannon, the 71-year-old former White House strategist and Breitbart executive, is noted in a 2019 entry for a phone call regarding “strategy.” Bannon, who served time for contempt of Congress related to the January 6 investigation, dismissed the reference as “irrelevant,” telling reporters, “Epstein was a con man; I never took the bait.” A tentative breakfast with Bill Gates in 2014 is scribbled in the margins, aligning with Gates’ admitted regret over multiple meetings with Epstein post-conviction, which he claimed were for philanthropic discussions. Gates’ spokesperson reiterated that no business was conducted and expressed dismay at the continued associations.

These revelations extend beyond individual names, illuminating Epstein’s modus operandi. His schedules from 2014, 2017, and 2019—post his 2008 conviction—show a man undeterred, juggling calls with bankers, politicians, and tech moguls while under scrutiny. The 2000 manifest predates his legal troubles but highlights early entanglements with royalty and influencers. Epstein’s island, purchased in 1998 for $7.95 million, was a hub for alleged abuse, with underwater tunnels and hidden cameras rumored in conspiracy circles. Maxwell, convicted in 2021 for sex trafficking and serving 20 years, remains a key figure, her trial exposing how the pair groomed victims.

The political context of the release is charged. Democrats on the Oversight Committee, led by Chair Jamie Raskin, framed it as part of broader accountability efforts, especially with midterm elections looming in 2026. Republicans have accused the move of being a partisan smear, pointing to Epstein’s ties to figures like Bill Clinton, who flew on the jet multiple times but denies island visits. Trump, mentioned peripherally in older files, praised Epstein in 2002 as a “terrific guy” who liked “beautiful women… on the younger side,” but banned him from Mar-a-Lago after an alleged incident. The bipartisan nature of Epstein’s network—spanning Clinton dinners to Trump parties—underscores how he transcended ideology.

Public reaction has been swift and polarized. On X, #EpsteinFiles trended for days, with users dissecting Musk’s denial and demanding Andrew’s extradition. Conspiracy theorists link it to broader “deep state” narratives, while victims’ advocates, like Giuffre, hailed the unsealing as a step toward justice. “These names show how systemic this was,” Giuffre posted. Legal experts caution that mentions don’t imply guilt; many were social or business contacts unaware of Epstein’s crimes. Yet, the damage to reputations is palpable—Musk’s stock in Tesla dipped 2% post-release, and Andrew faces calls to vacate his residence.

As more updates are promised—committee sources hint at additional tranches—the saga reminds us of power’s perils. Epstein’s death left unanswered questions: Who enabled him? What secrets died with him? For Musk, Andrew, and others, these files are a haunting echo, proving that even refusals can cast long shadows. In an era of digital permanence, associations linger, forcing the elite to confront their pasts. Whether this leads to new probes or fades into notoriety remains unclear, but one thing is certain: Epstein’s ghost continues to haunt the corridors of influence.