Newly released Jeffrey Epstein documents expose a 2015 dinner gathering that brought together some of Silicon Valley’s most powerful figures, including Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, with the convicted sex offender.
The Palo Alto Meeting
On August 2, 2015, Epstein sent an email to associate Peter Attia announcing his dinner plans with Musk, Zuckerberg, and Peter Thiel. The next day, he photographed himself with the tech executives at a gathering hosted by LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman in Palo Alto. The dinner honored MIT neuroscientist Ed Boyden, but Epstein later described the event as “wild” in correspondence with billionaire Tom Pritzker.
Representatives for both Musk and Zuckerberg maintained their clients had minimal interaction with Epstein. Zuckerberg’s team stated he “met Epstein in passing one time” and never communicated with him again. Musk similarly denied close ties, calling Epstein “obviously a creep” and claiming he doesn’t “know the guy well enough” to make introductions.
Contradictory Evidence Emerges
The Justice Department files reveal communications that contradict public statements. A 2012 Christmas email shows Musk asking Epstein about upcoming parties, writing he wanted to “hit the party scene in St. Barts or elsewhere and let loose.” Another 2014 message indicates Epstein attempted to lure Musk to his private island by mentioning Hoffman’s attendance.
The revelations sparked heated exchanges between Musk and Hoffman on social media. Musk claimed Epstein’s mention of Hoffman actually deterred his participation, while Hoffman accused Musk of lying about their relationship for over a decade.
What This Means
These documents raise questions about transparency from major tech leaders regarding their associations with Epstein, who was already a convicted sex offender when these interactions occurred. Hoffman expressed regret for his post-conviction contact with Epstein and called for full file disclosure. The revelations highlight ongoing concerns about accountability among Silicon Valley’s elite and their connections to the disgraced financier’s network.