Elon Musk and President Donald Trump engaged in a heated public feud on Thursday, an unexpected figure emerged at the centre of their dispute: the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a dramatic twist, Musk alleged that the U.S. government has withheld the full release of files related to the Epstein case because Trump’s name appears in them.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO, who recently left his role in the administration over opposition to Trump’s controversial “Big Beautiful Bill,” made the explosive claim on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
“Donald Trump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!” Musk wrote on Thursday.
The billionaire further urged his followers to remember his statement, adding that the “truth will come out.”
Musk’s allegations emerged amid an increasingly bitter fight between the two former allies. Once a special adviser in Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk had parted ways with the administration last month, citing concerns that his business interests were suffering.
Now firmly at odds, Musk and Trump traded barbs online throughout the day. Musk’s reference to Epstein’s files added a new and controversial layer to the feud.
What Are the Epstein Files?
For months, Trump administration officials have faced growing pressure to release the remaining investigative documents related to the case of Jeffrey Epstein, who died by apparent suicide in a New York federal jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
The so-called “Epstein files” are believed to contain extensive information about Epstein’s network and contacts, though no official “client list” has been released. The issue has fueled public speculation and demands for transparency. While Musk provided no direct evidence for his claim about Trump’s name being in the files, his statement quickly went viral, sparking renewed debate over what might be hidden within the sealed documents.
Read Also: Trump ally calls for Elon Musk’s deportation to South Africa
Here are 10 key facts to know about Jeffrey Epstein — useful for background in news reporting or public understanding:
1. Who Was He?
Jeffrey Epstein was an American financier and convicted sex offender. He was born in 1953 in Brooklyn, New York, and worked in the world of high finance.
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Mysterious Fortune
Epstein claimed to be a billionaire and managed money for the wealthy, but details of his clients and how he built his fortune remain murky to this day.
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Elite Connections
Epstein was known for cultivating relationships with high-profile figures — including politicians, royalty, and celebrities — such as Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and Donald Trump.
Important: Many of these figures deny wrongdoing and deny knowing about Epstein’s crimes.
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First Conviction
In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida to procuring an underage girl for prostitution and served 13 months in a controversial “sweetheart deal” that was heavily criticized. He was allowed to leave jail during the day on a work-release program.
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New Federal Charges
In July 2019, Epstein was arrested again — this time on federal charges of sex trafficking minors in New York and Florida. Prosecutors alleged that he abused dozens of underage girls and ran a trafficking ring.
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The Properties
Epstein owned multiple lavish properties that were allegedly used to groom and abuse young girls — including a mansion in Manhattan, a private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands (“Little St. James”), and homes in Palm Beach, New Mexico, and Paris.
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Mysterious Death
Epstein died by apparent suicide in a federal jail in Manhattan in August 2019, just one month after his arrest. His death sparked widespread suspicion and conspiracy theories due to multiple reported lapses in jail procedures the night of his death.
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The “Client List” Myth
There is public fascination with the idea of a “client list” of powerful people who may have been involved in Epstein’s crimes. However, no official “client list” has been released, and many claims about such lists remain unverified.
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Ghislaine Maxwell’s Role
Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite and Epstein’s close associate, was arrested in 2020 and convicted in 2021 of sex trafficking minors. She was accused of recruiting and grooming young girls for Epstein.
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Ongoing Investigations
Even after Epstein’s death, civil cases and investigations continue. Victims are still seeking justice, and public pressure remains to release more documents related to Epstein’s activities and powerful associates
