Elon Musk and Peter Thiel Mentioned in Epstein Documents Released by Democrats

Elon Musk and Peter Thiel Mentioned in Epstein Documents Released by Democrats

Washington, D.C. September 12, 2025 Newly released documents tied to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein included references to tech billionaire Elon Musk, venture capitalist Peter Thiel, former White House strategist Steve Bannon, and Britain’s Prince Andrew, according to a batch of material made public Friday by congressional Democrats.

The documents, six pages of interview notes and correspondence, with significant redactions, were made available by the House Oversight Committee as part of its ongoing review of Epstein’s network and the government’s past handling of his case.

Names Surface in Redacted Files

Committee staff confirmed that the names of Musk, Thiel, Bannon, and Prince Andrew appeared in the documents but did not elaborate on the context. The records do not accuse any of them of criminal activity, and Democrats emphasized that inclusion in the files does not equate to wrongdoing.

“These are references from investigative documents that have been in the public interest for years,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.). “We believe transparency is essential, but we caution against drawing conclusions beyond what is presented.”

Tech Titans Respond

A spokesperson for Elon Musk dismissed the inclusion of his name as “irrelevant and misleading,” saying Musk “had no relationship with Epstein beyond a few brief encounters at public events.” Representatives for Peter Thiel did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Musk, who has previously denied any personal ties to Epstein, echoed that stance in a post on his social media platform X, writing: “Being mentioned in a file ≠ being guilty of anything.”

Bannon and Prince Andrew Also Cited

Steve Bannon, who served as chief strategist under President Trump, was referenced in the documents in connection with Epstein’s broader social and political circles. A spokesperson said Bannon “had no substantive connection to Epstein.”

Prince Andrew, long dogged by scrutiny over his ties to Epstein, was listed in the documents as part of ongoing questions about his associations. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the new release.

Political and Legal Backdrop

The publication of the documents comes amid a push by Democrats to increase transparency surrounding Epstein’s connections to influential figures across politics, finance, and technology. Republicans on the committee accused Democrats of “selective disclosure” and argued the release was intended to distract from other political issues.

Legal experts noted that the six-page batch, heavily redacted, is unlikely to shed significant new light on Epstein’s network but will intensify public debate given the prominence of the names.

A Centrist View

From a centrist perspective, the release underscores two parallel realities: the public has a legitimate interest in knowing the scope of Epstein’s connections, but the mere appearance of names in files must not be conflated with guilt or misconduct.

The challenge for lawmakers is balancing transparency with fairness, ensuring accountability without fueling speculation or weaponizing unverified associations.

As Rep. Raskin put it: “Transparency must come with context.”