Jeffrey Epstein has the US elites wrapped around his finger. Bannon, Musk and Lutnick in new documents
The documents published on Friday shed new light on the scale of the sex offender's relationships with figures such as Steve Bannon, Elon Musk and world leaders. In particular, the files contain extensive exchanges with Bannon while he was waging a political influence campaign in Europe, as well as numerous attempts – unsuccessful – to meet with Musk.
The documents further confirm previous reports that Epstein has wielded extraordinary influence over the years — even as he was increasingly investigated for trafficking in underage girls.
Epstein, who committed suicide in prison in 2019, advised and built connections with prominent leaders in Europe, including Russian government officials. He met with Hollywood elites, company presidents and government officialsoften inviting them to his residences and to the notorious island. He also used his network of contacts with influential people from Washington to influence the White House during Donald Trump's term.
Epstein's acquaintance with Steve Bannon, a conservative political strategist, has long been known, but a new batch of files suggests that The two men's relationships were deeper and friendlier than previously thought.
The documents contain: thousands of messages they exchangedespecially in 2018 and 2019 — months before Epstein's death — after Bannon left the White House amid scandal.
The messages contain anonymization of Epstein's name, however the context clearly shows that he is the author of the statement. He mentions his plane, houses, the island and expresses outrage at the accusations of human trafficking that he faced at the time. Numerous emails between Bannon and Epstein from this period have also been preserved, with no names blacked out, showing the frequency of their contacts.
Bannon did not respond to requests for comment regarding the relationship with Epstein or the new details revealed on Friday. The Department of Justice also did not comment on the content of the exchanged messages.
The strategist rarely publicly commented on their knowledge, although he had previously called for an independent investigation into these documents.
The two frequently exchanged messages on issues ranging from the TV series “Chernobyl” to efforts to influence global geopolitics, including shaping ruling coalitions in Europe, increasing pressure on China and building business relationships in the Middle East.
Bannon claimed credit for persuading Trump in 2018 to impose high tariffs on China. He spoke to Epstein about his “We Build the Wall” initiative, which later ended federal indictment and presidential pardonand gossiped about the latest findings in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, which also involved Bannon himself.
The conversations sometimes took on a lewd tone, especially on the initiative of Epstein, who joked about sexual topics, including using vulgar references to women's genitals, referring to Bannon's statements.
There were also many jokes about the president. Epstein joked that Trump should be named re grifter (cheater) instead regifter (person passing on unwanted gifts). Bannon has often ironically referred to the president as a “stable genius.”
Steve Bannon at CPAC in Maryland on February 20, 2025.EPA/WILL OLIVER / POOL / PAP
The two often ate together. Epstein offered Bannon the use of a Paris apartment, a house in Palm Beach and other properties, as well as giving him access to his plane on various occasions. When Epstein helped arrange travel for Bannonjoked that Epstein works as Bannon's assistant and is “the highest-paid travel agent in history.” On one occasion Epstein added: “The price does not include massages.”
In turn, Bannon provided media training to Epstein while working on the documentary, even advising him on the length of his facial hair. He also provided support as Epstein faced increasing media attention in the winter of 2019.
Musk persistently dismissed Epstein. “I won't make it this time”
The history of Musk and Epstein's relationship is a story of one-sided attempts by the deceased criminal to contact a billionaire from the technology industry. Emails from 2012–2014 show that Epstein tried to meet with Musk multiple timesbut this was explained by scheduling conflicts or logistical issues. There is no evidence that the two men ever met in person.
A spokesman for Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Musk himself was one of the most vocal supporters of the disclosure of documents relating to Epstein last summer.
“I'm sorry we couldn't meet,” Epstein wrote to Musk on New Year's Day 2013. When he invited Musk to his island, he replied: “I can't make it this time due to logistical reasons.”
Musk wrote to Epstein in April 2013 that he had no plans to visit the East Coast. Epstein tried to encourage him by mentioning dinner with Woody Allen. When Epstein asked at the end of the month whether Musk's plans had become clear, the answer was simply “no”.
However, the two had some specific exchanges. In October 2012, Epstein referred to Musk's brother and his “new romance.” “The world needs more romance,” Musk responded. He also added that he functions best when he sleeps 6.5 hours a day.
Elon Musk, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, January 22, 2026.EPA/GIAN EHRENZELLER / PAP
It was a prelude to the warmest exchanges between them. In November 2012, Musk asked Epstein about the “wildest party” on the island this year. A month later he suggested again that he wanted to have some fun, but he was afraid that Epstein's island would be “too quiet”.
“I've been working borderline crazy this year, so once my kids get home after the holidays, I really want to party wild in St. Barts or elsewhere,” Musk wrote.
Epstein, referring to Musk's then-wife, Talulah Riley, replied: “The proportion on my island would embarrass Talulah “For Talulah, proportions are not an issue,” Musk replied.
The files also show that in February 2013, Musk offered to meet Epstein at the SpaceX rocket factory near Long Beach, California. Epstein, in turn, canceled a Christmas gathering in 2013.
Epstein also reached European politicians
The recently released documents add to the picture of Epstein's extensive contacts with foreign leaders, ambassadors, ministers, former heads of state and international intermediaries, especially in Europe and the Middle East.
Epstein exploited his contacts, to facilitate meetings between others, like Bannon, with European politicians. He joked about women with Slovak politician Miroslav Lajcak, while discussing his meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. He arranged meetings by e-mail with Thorbjorn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
Lajcak did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Council of Europe previously declined to comment on Jagland's relationship with Epstein. Jagland, a former Norwegian prime minister, previously told the Norwegian public broadcaster: “I clearly distance myself from what has been revealed about Jeffrey Epstein's private life.”
“I will never be in the same room with that disgusting person again.”
According to documents released Friday by the Justice Department, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick exchanged emails with Epstein about a 2012 visit to his Caribbean estate.
Lutnick earlier he denied having contacts with Epstein after 2005. However, email correspondence between the two indicates that their relationship was much closer than Lutnick had previously claimed – which undermines his claims that they had no contact after that date.
In November 2012, Lesley Groff, Epstein's longtime assistant, contacted Lutnick to arrange a meeting during his stay in St. Thomas, near Epstein's residence on Little St. James, a billionaire's private island. Lutnick and Epstein arranged to have lunch on Sunday, December 23. During the vacation, Lutnick was accompanied by his wife, Allison, their four children and a friendly couple with their children.
The emails show that Lutnick and his wife coordinated details about getting to the island, including: where and how to moor their yacht. The day after the scheduled meeting, Epstein's assistant forwarded a message from Epstein to Lutnick: “It was nice seeing you”.
The Commerce Department said in an official statement that Lutnick had “limited contacts” with Epstein.
“This is nothing more than a failed attempt by the mainstream media to distract attention from the administration's successes, including securing trillions of dollars in investments, reaching historic trade agreements and fighting for the American worker,” it said. “Secretary Lutnick had limited contact with Mr. Epsteinalways in the presence of his wife, and was never accused of any wrongdoing.”
Donald Trump, president of the United States, and Howard Lutnick, secretary of commerce, during a cabinet meeting. Washington, January 29, 2026PAP/EPA/AARON SCHWARTZ / POOL
Asked about the emails, Lutnick told The New York Times on Friday: “I haven't spent any time with him,” and then hung up.
The newly revealed meeting with Epstein contradicts Lutnick's previous statements about their relationship. Last year, Lutnick told the New York Post that in 2005 he was living next to Epstein in New York. After one visit to a neighbor, Lutnick concluded that he and his wife saw a massage table in Epstein's house; the host allegedly explained that he received “the right kind of massage” every day.
“My wife and I decided that I would never be in the same room with this disgusting person again,” Lutnick said in October, recalling his visit to Epstein. — That's why I was never in the room with him neither socially, nor on business, nor for charity. When he was somewhere, I didn't show up because he was a disgusting man.
