Rich And Powerful In The New Epstein Files: Thomas Pritzker Resigns From Hyatt Amid New Emails

Topline

The Justice Department’s latest release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein shows new ties with the world’s most powerful people, including information about his relationship to Richard Branson, Bill Gates and Elon Musk—sparking widespread fallout, with Hyatt Hotels chairman Thomas Pritzker becoming the latest person Monday to step down over his Epstein ties.

Key Facts

Peter Attia: Longevity Expert Complains Of Epstein ‘withdrawal’

Attia, the founder of longevity app Outlive, surfaced in the Epstein files days after being named as a contributor to CBS News by the broadcaster’s new leader Bari Weiss. Emails suggest Attia had a close relationship with Epstein—including after the financier had already pleaded guilty to prostitution charges—at one point telling Epstein’s secretary Lesley Groff in a 2016 email, “I go into JE withdrawal when I don’t see him.” Attia responded to the files in a lengthy post on X on Feb. 2, apologizing for associating with Epstein and stating that while he visited Epstein’s New York home on multiple occasions after meeting him in 2014, he never flew on the financier’s plane, visited Epstein’s ranch or island, and his “interactions with Epstein had nothing to do with his sexual abuse or exploitation of anyone.” He also responded specifically to 2015 emails with Epstein in which Epstein responded to Attia saying he “got a new shipment” of the drug metformin by saying, “me too” and sending a photo—redacted in the files—of women. Attia responded by saying the “biggest problem” with his friendship with Epstein is that “the life you lead is so outrageous, and yet I [can’t] tell a soul…” The CBS contributor said, “Reading that exchange now is very embarrassing, and I will not defend it,” and claimed at the time he “understood this exchange as juvenile, not a reference to anything dark or harmful.” CBS has so far kept Attia on as a contributor despite his Epstein ties.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem: Resigned After ‘torture Video’ Email

(Added, Feb. 13) Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem resigned from his position as CEO of trade and logistics company DP World on Friday, the company announced, after the Epstein files shed additional light on the “close” friendship between bin Sulayem and Epstein. The Epstein files include numerous exchanges between bin Sulayem and the financier, including discussing women, business deals and conversations suggesting bin Sulayem visited Epstein’s private island. The two conversed up until 2019, when Epstein was arrested and subsequently died in prison, and repeatedly referred to each other as a close friend. “You are one of my most trusted friends in very sense of the word, you have never let me down , not once, not half of once,” Epstein wrote to bin Sulayem in 2013. Scrutiny of bin Sulayem intensified after Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche revealed the DP World chief was the recipient of an email Epstein sent in 2009, in which he told bin Sulayem he “loved the torture video.” The sultan has not commented on his relationship with Epstein, and the Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation of Dubai, where he serves as chairman, has not yet responded to a request for comment. Bin Sulayem had been considered one of the top CEOs in the Middle East and had led DP World—which reportedly constitutes 12% of the United Arab Emirates’ GDP—since 2016 before resigning Friday. He has also done business with President Donald Trump, who signed a licensing deal in 2008 for Trump-branded properties in the UAE with Nakheel, a state-owned real estate developer in Dubai that bin Sulayem chaired.

Leon Black: Prosecutors Looked Into Billionaire

Black is long known to have been associated with Epstein, with the billionaire employing Epstein as a financial adviser. The latest round of documents suggested prosecutors took a closer look at Black, identifying him as a “prominent name” in connection with Epstein in an undated presentation deck that appears to be an internal government document. Other documents note the Manhattan District Attorney’s office “began looking into allegations against Leon Black,” describing allegations a victim made that Epstein directed her to massage Black but the billionaire “began initiating sexual contact, and the victim ran out of the room.” Black has denied wrongdoing and has never been charged with any crimes in relation to Epstein, and his attorney Susan Estrich told The Guardian about the latest document release that there is “absolutely no truth to any of the allegations against” Black. Estrich noted Black “asked for an independent investigation of his relationship with Epstein,” which “concluded that Mr Black paid Epstein for estate planning and tax advice and that he had no awareness of Epstein’s criminal activities.” Other files in the document tranche also show Black’s firm, the Apollo Group, had more contact with Epstein than previously known, and Black’s successor Marc Rowan was repeatedly in touch with Epstein in the 2010s prior to the financier’s 2019 death. Rowan succeeded Black as CEO of the Apollo Group in 2021, when Black stepped down amid controversy over his ties to Epstein.

Richard Branson: Defends Epstein’s ‘penchant For Women’

Billionaire Richard Branson, who was already known to have been friends with Epstein, sent a 2013 email to Epstein after the two had seen each other, saying he would love to see the financier again in the future, “As long as you bring your harem!” Branson also responded to Epstein asking him for his “public relations thoughts,” appearing to offer advice for how Gates could defend having a public association with Epstein after the financier had already faced charges for sexual misconduct. “I think if Bill Gates was willing to say that you’ve been a brilliant advisor to him, that you slipped up many years ago by sleeping with a 17 ½ year old woman and were punished for it, that you’ve more than learnt your lesson and have done nothing that’s against the law since and, yes, as a single man you seem to have a penchant for women,” Branson wrote. “But there’s nothing wrong with that.” Branson has never been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, and Gates did not publicly defend Epstein prior to the financier’s death in 2019. A Virgin Group spokesperson told Forbes in an email, “Any contact Richard and Joan Branson had with Epstein took place on only a few occasions more than twelve years ago, and was limited to group or business settings, such as a charity tennis event.” The spokesperson added, “Had they had the full picture and information, there would have been no contact whatsoever—Richard believes that Epstein’s actions were abhorrent and supports the right to justice for his many victims.”

Borge Brende: World Economic Forum President Under Investigation

The World Economic Forum, whose landmark annual Davos conference took place in January, opened an investigation into its president and CEO, Borge Brende, over his alleged ties to Epstein. Brende, Norway’s former finance minister, has been CEO of the prestigious organization since 2017. The investigation is focusing on three business dinners Brende had with Epstein. Brende appears to confirm these dinners in multiple emails from 2018 and 2019 included in the file release last weekend. Brende also appeared to correspond with Epstein by text messages those same years. In one message from 2018, Brende thanked Epstein for “a very interesting dinner,” later adding: “food for thought. You’re a brilliant host.” In response, Epstein told him “both Bannon Leon and I were very impressed with you,” later sending a photo of the former Trump adviser with Brende and Norwegian diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen, the Norwegian press reported. In a statement sent to multiple outlets, the World Economic Forum said Brende was cooperating with the investigation and requested the review himself. In a statement sent to Reuters, Brende said he was “completely unaware of Epstein’s past and criminal activities,” and said he would have declined the invitations if he had known. The World Economic Forum did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Forbes.

Sergey Brin: Apparent Photo From Epstein’s Island

Google cofounder Sergey Brin, who had already been known to have associated with Epstein, is in the latest batch of Epstein files. The billionaire was in an undated photo that appears to show him at Epstein’s private island, with the photo including women whose faces have been redacted. Epstein victim Sarah Ransome also claimed in court documents she had met Brin and his then-fiancee Anne Wojcicki, the cofounder of 23andme, at Epstein’s island. Brin also knew Maxwell, and in 2003 emails the two discussed Brin attending a dinner at Epstein’s New York mansion. “Dinners at Jeffrey’s are always happily casual and relaxed,” Maxwell wrote to Brin, who responded that he would be in New York and to let him know “what works for you and Jeffrey.” It’s unclear if that meeting, which Brin suggested he could also bring then-Google CEO Eric Schmidt to, ever took place. Brin has not publicly commented on his relationship with Epstein and has not been accused of any wrongdoing, and Google has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Ron Burkle: Told Victim Epstein Was ‘not A Good Guy’

Ron Burkle, the billionaire co-owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins, is listed in civil litigation as being a person who allegedly knew of Epstein’s “finances and … sexual desire for young girls.” Another document details a call from an anonymous caller to the FBI’s tip line, who suggested authorities should speak with Burkle but did not accuse him of wrongdoing. In another document detailing an interview with an anonymous victim, the witness alleged Burkle had said “bad things” to her about Epstein and told her, “Epstein was not a good guy and that he wished [the victim] had never met Epstein.” Burkle’s association with Epstein has previously been reported, and his investment firm The Yucaipa Companies has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Ariane De Rothschild: Epstein, Wealthy Banker Secured $25 Million Contract

In a 2016 email to Thiel, Epstein said he represented the Rothschilds, a historically wealthy and influential European banking family. Emails show he had correspondence with Ariane de Rothschild, who ran parts of the family’s banking operations when Epstein—through his Southern Trust Company Inc.,—struck a $25 million contract with the Rothschild Group in 2015 covering risk analysis and estate planning. The contract states Epstein and Ariane de Rothschild collaborated together for the deal. The Rothschild Group has not yet responded to a request for comment on her relationship with Epstein.

Fred Ehrsam: Epstein An Early Investor In Coinbase

The recent tranche revealed Epstein was among the early investors in Coinbase, the cryptocurrency exchange founded by billionaire Fred Ehrsam. Epstein wrote in an email he would invest $3 million in 2014 into the company, valuing it at $400 million. Coinbase was eventually valued at $86 billion when it went public in 2025. In 2018, Epstein cashed out half of his stake for $15 million. The emails indicated Ehrsam was aware of the investment, but he has not publicly commented on Epstein’s involvement with the company. “We don’t have visibility into Mr. Epstein’s motivations for the Coinbase investment,” a Blockchain Capital representative told Decrypt.

Andrew Farkas: Merchant Banker Partnered With Epstein In Yacht Harbor Deal

(Added, Feb. 9) Epstein corresponded regularly with Andrew Farkas, the wealthy chairman and CEO of Island Capital Group, a merchant bank with significant real estate holdings. Thousands of emails between the two were released in the Epstein files, first reported by the New York Times, seem to show a past close relationship. In one 2010 email, Farkas tells Epstein, “You are one of the blessings in my life and I cherish our friendship.” Farkas and Epstein also partnered to purchase a yacht harbor in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, a deal that was first reported by Bloomberg in 2019. The deal likely allowed Epstein to take advantage of tax incentives in the Virgin Islands, the Times reported on Monday. In one 2008 email, Epstein told Farkas “great seeing you” and “sorry it was such a schlep.” Epstein was serving his jail sentence at the Palm Beach County Stockade at the time, though was controversially allowed to spend most of his days in an office as part of a work release. Farkas’ name never appears on Epstein’s jail logs, and he told the Times “I did not visit him inside prison.” In a statement sent to Forbes, Farkas said, “I deeply regret ever having met this individual, but at no time have I conducted myself inappropriately.” Farkas said his communication style could be “mischaracterized” when his emails are taken out of context. He has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

Bill Gates: Epstein’s Explosive Std Allegation, More

The Epstein files include 2013 emails Epstein sent to himself that are directed to Gates. One is formatted as a resignation letter from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and makes a number of allegations against Bill Gates, with Epstein writing that he—or whomever the email was about—was asked to participate “in things that have ranged from the morally inappropriate , to the ethically unsound,” along with “other things that get near and potentially over the line into the illegal.” The email alleged Gates had sought help with “get[ting] drugs, in order to deal with consequences of sex with russian girls … facilictating [sic] his illicit trysts, with married women” and being provided with Adderall. Another letter addressed to Gates criticizes the billionaire for “disregard[ing] our friendship” and alleges Gates emailed Epstein about a purported sexually transmitted disease and “request[ed] that I provide you antibiotics that you can surreptitiously give to” Gates’ then-wife Melinda French Gates. Gates has previously been connected to Epstein but has expressed regret for socializing with the financier, and has never been accused of wrongdoing in connection with him. In a statement to The New York Times on Jan. 30, a spokesperson for the Gates Foundation said, “These claims — from a proven, disgruntled liar — are absolutely absurd and completely false. The only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein’s frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame.”

Gordon Getty: Claimed ‘we All Have Similar Kinds Of Problems’ As Epstein

The last document release revealed Epstein had a closer relationship with billionaire Gordon Getty than previously known. While previous document tranches showed Epstein had been added to Getty’s email list, the new release showed Getty and Epstein were introduced by evolutionary biologist Robert Trivers and went on to correspond by email starting in 2013, after Epstein had pleaded guilty to sex crimes in 2008, and met at least once, in 2014. Trivers also emailed with Epstein about Getty, telling the financier in 2017 that Getty “liked” Epstein and thought he was “‘energetic, bright and personable.’” In a 2018 email, Trivers told Epstein that Getty had asked whether Epstein was “the same Jeffrey accused of relations with minors.” When Trivers said yes, he said Getty responded, “‘well, we ALL have similar kinds of problems,’” referring to the billionaire’s own infidelity scandal. Getty has not responded to Forbes’ request for comment.

Reid Hoffman: Linkedin Co-Founder’s Emails With Epstein Revealed

The billionaire co-founder of LinkedIn has previously admitted his involvement with Epstein, and newly surfaced emails revealed he visited multiple of his properties, including Epstein’s island in 2014. Hoffman visited the island as part of a fundraising trip for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, saying in a statement to The Wall Street Journal, “It gnaws at me that, by lending my association, I helped his reputation, and thus delayed justice for his survivors.” Hoffman and Epstein also previously had business-related correspondence regarding Gates and his former employee, Boris Niklic. Hoffman, who has not been directly connected to any wrongdoing involving Epstein, has traded barbs with Musk since the latest release. “Epstein hounded me relentlessly to go to his pedo island and I always declined. Not you though. You actually went,” Musk wrote on X, to which Hoffman replied, “Give us a break: If you cared about the victims as you say, you’d stop making false accusations to cover your ass and start using your $220m of influence with President Trump to get justice for the victims.” Hoffman said on X his relationship with Epstein after his conviction is something he deeply regrets.

Brad Karp Resigns: Powerful Lawyer Apparently Called Epstein ‘amazing’

(Updated, Feb. 5) Brad Karp resigned as chair of white-shoe law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, the firm said in a statement on Wednesday night. “Recent reporting has created a distraction and has placed a focus on me that is not in the best interests of the firm,” Karp said in the release, though he will remain at the firm where he has worked for his entire legal career, and will “focus his full-time attention to client service.” The latest Epstein files includes an email exchange in 2015, where Karp thanked Epstein for inviting him to “an evening I’ll never forget.” In response, Epstein said “you are always welcome” and “you will be invited often.” In a 2016 exchange, Karp appears to ask Epstein for help getting his son a job on the set of a Woody Allen movie. In a text exchange with former White House strategist and current podcaster Steve Bannon in 2019, Epstein asked the former Trump aide for help getting Karp admitted to the exclusive Augusta Golf Club. In a statement sent to the New York Times, a representative for Karp said he “attended two group dinners in New York City and had a small number of social interactions by email, all of which he regrets,” and that he met the financier through Black.

Robert Kraft: Epstein Gives Nfl Owner Legal Advice

Emails released Jan. 30 suggest Epstein was in touch with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft in the wake of the billionaire’s 2019 arrest for soliciting prosecution. In a February 2019 email to criminal defense attorney Jack Goldberger, Epstein told the lawyer he was “trying to have [Kraft] hire you,” and the NFL owner did go on to add Goldberger to his legal team days later. In subsequent text messages, Goldberger told Epstein about deliberations regarding Kraft’s legal team and promised to fill him in with more details, telling the financier, “Thanks for your help.” Epstein responded by saying, “You need to know about a past issue with Kraft that may come to light.” It is unclear what “past issue” the financier was referring to, and Goldberger only responded by saying he would call Epstein. The Patriots have not yet responded to a request for comment.

Howard Lutnick: Went To Epstein’s Island After Claiming He Cut Ties

(Updated, Feb. 10) Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick admitted Tuesday he visited Epstein’s island in 2012, despite saying just weeks earlier that he’d spent “zero time” with him and previously claiming to have cut ties with the financier in 2005. The admission came during Senate testimony as he was asked about the recent release of files, which showed communications and business deals between Lutnick and Epstein over the years as late as 2014. Both men were investors in a now-defunct ad tech company called Adfin, though a source close to Lutnick told CBS the commerce secretary’s old firm, Cantor Fitzgerald, was only a minority investor in the company, and as such, “Mr. Lutnick would not have any knowledge of who the other investors were.” More emails in the files further suggest Lutnick met with Epstein after the financier’s 2008 conviction, even though he previously told a New York Post podcast in October 2025 he thought Epstein was “gross” after touring Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse with his wife in 2005, and “decided that I will never be in the room with that disgusting person ever again.” The two men had at least two scheduled meetings in 2011, while another email shows an invitation from Lutnick to a Hillary Clinton fundraiser in 2015. In 2017, Epstein received an email thanking him for his $50,000 donation to an unnamed organization “in honor of Howard Lutnick.” The commerce secretary testified Tuesday he met Epstein three times after they became neighbors on the Upper East Side, and that his family spent “an hour” at Epstein’s private island during a family vacation in 2012. He suggested there was nothing “untoward” about the visit and he “[doesn’t] recall why we did it.”

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor: On All Fours In New Photo

(Updated, Feb. 17) The former Prince Andrew is depicted in photos from the latest file trove that show the royal kneeling on all fours above a woman whose identity is redacted. The photos are undated. Other files in the latest tranche of documents include 2010 emails in which Epstein tells the royal he has “a friend I think you might enjoy having dinner with,” going on to describe the friend as a 26-year-old Russian woman. Mountbatten-Windsor responded he would be “delighted to see her.” Epstein discussed Giuffre’s allegations against Mountbatten-Windsor in a 2015 email exchange with New York Times journalist Landon Thomas, in which Thomas advised Epstein to distance himself from then-Prince Andrew, claiming it was the allegations against the royal that was keeping the broader story about Epstein and his alleged abuse “alive.” Thomas also suggested victim Giuffre had “consensual sex” with Mountbatten-Windsor. That contradicts Giuffre—, who alleged she was trafficked to the then-royal—, but also Mountbatten-Windsor, who has long claimed he did not have any relations with Giuffre, consensual or not, and has “no recollection” of ever meeting her. (Thomas has not yet responded to a request for comment.) The former Duke has more broadly denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, but had his royal titles stripped from him last year amid the continued controversy over his ties to the late financier.

Elon Musk: Pictured At Dinner, Discussed Vacation Plans

(Updated Feb. 8) Billionaire Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk was seen in a photo at a dinner Epstein emailed to himself in 2015, alongside Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The photo was discovered after the tranche of documents revealed several email conversations between Epstein and Musk, including discussions about visiting Epstein’s private island. “What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?” Musk asked Epstein in a 2012 email. It is unclear if the billionaire ever made the trip, but the two appeared to discuss a potential visit again in 2013 when Musk said he was “in the BVI/St Bart’s area over the holidays.” Epstein responded that he would “send heli for you.” It appears the trip did not pan out, and Musk later said he was “very disappointed” and “really looking forward to finally spending some time together with just fun as the agenda.” In the past, Musk has insisted Epstein “tried to get me to go to his island and I REFUSED.” He doubled down on this assertion after the most recent file release, writing in a post on X “I had very little correspondence with Epstein and declined repeated invitations to go to his island or fly on his ‘Lolita Express’, but was well aware that some email correspondence with him could be misinterpreted and used by detractors to smear my name.” Other emails appear to show Epstein toured a SpaceX facility in 2013, including one where the financier thanked Musk directly. In another 2013 email, Musk spoke to Epstein about his sleep habits. Representatives for Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the dinner photo.

Thomas Pritzker: Hyatt Hotels Chair Retires Over Epstein Ties

(Added, Feb. 17) Billionaire Thomas Pritzker retired Monday after more emails between him and Epstein were revealed in the Epstein files, ending his tenure as Hyatt Hotels’ chairman because of his association with the late financier. “I exercised terrible judgment in maintaining contact with them, and there is no excuse for failing to distance myself sooner,” Pritzker said in a statement, adding he “condemn[s] the actions and the harm caused by Epstein and Maxwell.” The 75-year-old hotel magnate had previously been linked to Epstein, with previously released emails showing them having a yearslong friendship and Epstein at one point referring to him and Pritzker as being “like family.” Pritzker was also once named by victim Virginia Giuffre as one of the men she was forced to have sex with, an accusation he “vehemently denies.” The latest Epstein files release provided further evidence of the billionaire’s longtime friendship with Epstein, including emails with Maxwell as well as the financier. Maxwell told Pritzker in a 2001 email to call her “so that I can hear your voice” and asked if she could “come and rub your feet somewhere”—while in another 2018 exchange, Pritzker agreed to help Epstein’s girlfriend Karyna Shuliak arrange a trip to Southeast Asia. The billionaire asked what she would be doing there, and when she responded, “Going to try to find a new girlfriend for Jeffrey,” he responded, “May the Force be with you.”

Brett Ratner: Photograph With Woman, Epstein

The latest trove of Epstein documents includes photos showing director Brett Ratner with the late financier, with the two sitting on a couch in one photo while Ratner’s arms are wrapped around a woman whose identity is redacted. The photos come as Ratner, whose career was sidelined after facing allegations of sexual misconduct, has come back into the spotlight, directing the documentary “Melania” about the first lady that debuted in theaters over the weekend.

Steven Sinofsky: Epstein Puts Microsoft Exec In Touch With Tim Cook

Former Microsoft executive Steven Sinofsky repeatedly sought Epstein’s help as he negotiated his exit from Microsoft, emails in the latest release show. Sinofsky abruptly left Microsoft in late 2012, after the release of Windows 8, amid reported clashes with other executives, and now serves on the board of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. Epstein appeared to help Sinofsky negotiate his $14 million retirement package from Microsoft, and Sinofsky forwarded Epstein internal emails among Microsoft executives about the failure of the company’s Surface products in 2012 before he left the company. Epstein also told Sinofsky he spoke with Apple CEO Tim Cook about him, writing in a 2012 email, “tim cook was excited to meet,” but would decline meeting due to reports that Sinofsky was working with former Apple executive Scott Forstall. Subsequent emails suggest Sinofsky and Cook did meet. Sinofsky declined to comment on the emails, and Apple has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Peter Thiel: Epstein Supports Gawker Lawsuit

PayPal cofounder Peter Thiel had already been tied to Epstein through previous document releases, but the latest document dump revealed Epstein expressing support for Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker, which Thiel financed. Days after Forbes reported in May 2016 that Thiel was behind Hogan’s defamation litigation against Gawker—which ultimately bankrupted the media company—Epstein wrote in an email to Thiel he would have “gladly share[d] your expenses for the Gawker suit,” which Thiel responded to only with a smiley face. Thiel has denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, and has denied visiting the financier’s private island.

Steve Tisch: Epstein Discusses Women With Nfl Owner

Emails from 2013 suggest Epstein put women in touch with billionaire Steven Tisch, the chairman and executive vice president of the New York Giants. Epstein described Tisch as a “new but [obviously] shared interest friend” and repeatedly discussed women with the billionaire in emails: In one exchange, Epstein invited Tisch to his home and asked if he should invite a Russian woman over as well, to which Tisch responded, “Is she fun?”, while on another occasion, Tisch asked Epstein if his “present was in NYC” and if he could “get my surprise to take to lunch tomorrow.” Women also emailed Epstein about their dates with Tisch, The Athletic reports, and Epstein at one point told Tisch that he had done “very well” with a woman the billionaire had been out with, adding, “She is a little freaked by the age difference but go slow.” Tisch had previously asked Epstein if that woman was “pro or civilian,” to which Epstein said to call him because, “I don’t like records of these conversations.” In a statement to Forbes, Tisch said he and Epstein “had a brief association where we exchanged emails about adult women, and in addition, we discussed movies, philanthropy and investments. I did not take him up on any of his invitations and never went to his island. As we all know now, he was a terrible person and someone I deeply regret associating with.” Another billionaire sports owner, Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Josh Harris, also had multiple email exchanges with Epstein between 2013 and 2016, including setting up meetings with the financier at his home. There is no indication of any wrongdoing from Harris.

President Donald Trump: Additional Epstein Ties Revealed

The newly released Epstein files include a 2021 interview with an anonymous Epstein victim who alleges Maxwell “presented” her to Trump at a party in New York, with Maxwell telling the victim, “Oh I think he likes you. Aren’t you lucky. This is great.” The alleged victim testified Maxwell “made clear” to Trump she was “available” and the introduction “was set up very much like how Maxwell introduced [her] to Epstein.” She said she spoke to Trump for approximately 20 minutes and was given a tour with Trump, Maxwell and Epstein present, but said “nothing happened” between her and Trump. The files also include 2011 emails between Epstein and Maxwell about a person accusing Epstein of wrongdoing who previously worked at Mar-a-Lago—which may refer to victim Virginia Giuffre. Maxwell responded to an email from Epstein asking if Trump would respond to the allegations by saying, “I thought you said not to involve Donald.” The files also include details from a complaint brought by an unnamed woman who accused Trump of raping her when she was 13 years old, which formed the basis for several lawsuits that have since been dropped. Her allegations have not been verified and Trump has denied the claims, and more broadly any accusations of wrongdoing in connection to Epstein. Trump emphasized on Truth Social on Monday he “wasn’t friendly” with the late financier, and the White House directed Forbes to the DOJ’s statement saying the Epstein files “may include fake or falsely submitted images, documents or videos” and false claims about the president.

Melania Trump: Apparent Email To Ghislaine Maxwell

The files include a 2002 email from a person named “Melania” to Maxwell—which may refer to First Lady Melania Trump, though that is not confirmed. In the email, titled “HI!”, Melania congratulates Maxwell on a recent story about Epstein in New York Magazine, writing, “You look great on the picture.” Melania asked Maxwell about Palm Beach—where President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club is also located—and said she “can’t wait to go down,” before asking Maxwell to give her a call when she returns to New York. Maxwell responded and referred to Melania as “sweet pea,” saying she was on her way back to New York but she did “not think I have time to see you,” though she said she would still call. The White House did not confirm whether the email was from the first lady and directed Forbes to the DOJ’s press release stating the Epstein files “may include fake or falsely submitted images, documents or videos” and false claims.

Casey Wasserman: Sells Agency After Artists Flee But Stays On At Olympics—for Now

(Updated, Feb. 17) Wasserman, the chair of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, is reportedly selling his talent agency amid his ties to Epstein, the Epstein files revealed a seemingly close relationship with Maxwell. “I think of you all the time,” Wasserman appears to say in an email sent to Maxwell in 2003, before asking her “so what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?” In another 2003 exchange about the weather in California, Maxwell asked if it was “foggy enough so that you can float naked down the beach and no one can see you unless they are close up?” Wasserman apologized for his messages with Maxwell in a statement insisting he never had a relationship with Epstein and only traveled on the financier’s private jet as part of a Clinton Foundation trip in 2002. Chappell Roan and a slew of other artists left Wasserman’s agency in the wake of the files’ release, prompting Wasserman to put his agency up for sale. “I’m deeply sorry that my past personal mistakes have caused you so much discomfort,” Wasserman reportedly told staffers in a memo, characterizing his ties to Epstein as a “distraction” to employees’ work. He has so far retained his Olympics role, though at least five members of the Los Angeles City Council and one state senator have called for him to step down from the board of LA28, the Los Angeles Times reported. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass became the latest person to call for Wasserman’s resignation from the Olympics committee on Monday, saying the chair should step down and the board’s decision to keep him on was “unfortunate.”

Leslie Wexner: ‘gang Stuff’ And Epstein’s $100 Million Payment

(Added, Feb. 10) Wexner has long been tied to Epstein as a financial client, but has never been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, though an FBI document the Justice Department unredacted Monday amid criticism identified him as being a “co-conspirator.” A spokesperson for Wexner has denied the billionaire was ever investigated for his ties to Epstein, telling the Financial Times prosecutors “told Mr Wexner’s legal counsel in 2019 that Mr Wexner was being viewed as [a] source of information about Epstein and was not a target in any respect.” The Epstein files include prosecutors’ report from that July 2019 interview, in which attorneys said Epstein had paid Wexner $100 million to settle claims that the financier had stolen money from Wexner, including by buying property on Wexner’s behalf and then selling it to himself for cheap. Wexner’s attorneys denied he had any “knowledge of any inappropriate or unlawful activity with young women by Epstein,” prosecutors wrote. In an undated letter to Wexner included as part of the files, Epstein suggested Wexner stopped associating with Epstein amid the sexual assault allegations against him. The financier went on to say he and Wexner “had ‘gang stuff’ for over 15 years,” and suggested there was information about their relationship that Epstein could not tell Wexner’s wife Abigail when he spoke with her without “violating a confidence with you.” It’s unclear what Epstein meant by “gang stuff,” and a spokesperson for Wexner told The New York Times the billionaire had not received that letter, and it “appears to fit a pattern of untrue, outlandish, and delusional statements made by Epstein in desperate attempts to perpetuate his lies and justify his misconduct.” Wexner has been subpoenaed to testify about Epstein to the House Oversight Committee on Feb. 18.

Russell Wilson: Athlete Says ‘not Today Satan’ After Ending Up In Files

NFL quarterback Russell Wilson expressed interest in buying Epstein’s private plane, emails released Jan. 30 show, with pilot Larry Visosk saying in a 2019 email to Epstein that Wilson had been “calling … non-stop” about the plane after viewing it. There is no indication that Wilson bought the plane or met with Epstein about it directly. Wilson responded to his mention in the Epstein files on X on Sunday, writing, “NOPE!!! ABSOLUTELY NOT! Not TODAY satan!” Wilson went on to claim, “Some Random plane broker tried to sell me a plane,” and he had “no idea whose plane and never bought the plane.” The football player said he “Never talked nor Never met” Epstein, adding, “Thank God!!!”

Mort Zuckerman: Epstein Influenced New York Daily News’ Coverage Of Him

(Updated, Feb. 13) Billionaire Mortimer Zuckerman was already known to have been friends with Epstein, but the newly released documents suggest they had financial ties as well, as a financial document detailed a $21 million payment Zuckerman made to one of Epstein’s companies. The documents also suggest Epstein discussed women with Zuckerman, who served as chairman of Boston Properties and owned the New York Daily News. Epstein asked the billionaire in a 2009 email whether “a thirty two year old itialin [sic] architect” was “too young. smart[,] beautiful” and “multi lingual” for Zuckerman or if he’d “prefer more standard fare,” to which Zuckerman responded, “Sign me up asap.” Emails also show Epstein pressured Zuckerman to alter the New York Daily News’ coverage of the allegations against the financier, with Al Jazeera noting the Daily News ultimately delayed its coverage and left out details that Epstein objected to. Zuckerman has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, and the Daily News Media Group and U.S. News & World Report, where Zuckerman still serves as editor-in-chief emeritus, have not responded to requests for comment.

Indian Government: Billionaire Ambani’s Brother Ties Epstein To Modi

Epstein appeared to have ties to the Indian government, the new documents reveal. He repeatedly conversed with Anil Ambani, brother of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani and a close ally of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including about Modi trying to set up a meeting with Trump during the president’s first term. In messages to former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, Epstein suggested Ambani was serving as a proxy for Modi and his government, saying Modi was “sending someone to see me.” Epstein met with Ambani that day, his calendar shows, according to Al Jazeera, and later told Bannon he had a “really interesting modi meeting” and suggested he had discussed the Indian PM meeting with Bannon. Epstein also spoke with Indian politician Hardeep Singh Puri, who emails suggest visited Epstein’s home at least three times and pitched investment opportunities to Epstein and billionaire Reid Hoffman. Puri told Indian media his ties to Epstein were solely business related, Al Jazeera reports. Modi’s government has denied the insinuations in the email that Epstein was tied to the Indian leader, with External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Saturday describing the allegations as “little more than trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal, which deserve to be dismissed with the utmost contempt.” Anil Ambani’s company Reliance Group has not yet responded to a request for comment on his relationship with Epstein.

Foreign Officials: Fallout In Slovakia, U.k.

Epstein spoke to a number of other foreign officials, including Slovakian national security adviser Miroslav Lajcak, who resigned Sunday after emails were revealed showing him speaking about women with Epstein in 2018. He has denied any wrongdoing. In the U.K., former Labour Party Cabinet member Peter Mandelson resigned from the party after the latest document release, which showed he made multiple $75,000 payments to Epstein in 2003 and 2004, deepening Mandelson’s connection with Epstein following previous document releases. “I have been further linked this weekend to the understandable furore surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and I feel regretful and sorry about this,” Mandelson wrote in his resignation letter. Epstein also repeatedly conversed with Norway’s crown princess, Mette-Marit, who described Epstein as “soft-hearted” and a “sweetheart” in emails and said the financier “tickle[s] my brain.” In an email exchange from 2012, the Norwegian royal told Epstein, “U are very charming u know,” before going on to ask, “Is it inappropriate for a mother to suggest two naked women carrying a surfboard for my 15 yr old sons wallpaper ?” In a statement Tuesday, Mette-Marit described her association with Epstein as “simply embarrassing” and said she “showed poor judgement” and “deeply regrets” speaking with him. “I must take responsibility for not having investigated Epstein’s background more thoroughly, and for not realizing sooner what kind of person he was,” the crown princess said.

Ghislaine Maxwell Mugshot Revealed

The latest documents include a number of documents related to Maxwell’s time in prison, including the socialite’s mugshot and booking details. The tranche also included communications between Maxwell’s lawyers and the prison where she was being held before being transferred to a minimum-security facility last year, such as about getting a laptop to Maxwell and transferring her to more comfortable conditions amid service outages at the prison. The files also include Maxwell’s U.S. naturalization certificate, which lists her home address as being at Epstein’s private island, the BBC reports, and describes her occupation as Epstein’s “manager.”

Surprising Fact

The files also included readouts from calls made to the FBI’s tip line, which include unverified allegations about President Donald Trump committing wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. Emails noted that many claims are secondhand, and there is no evidence provided to corroborate any claims made. Links to at least some of those tip line emails appeared to be removed by the DOJ after the documents were first released and it was unclear why, though many were later restored. Analysis of one of the links before and after it became inaccessible on the DOJ website appeared to show no differences in text or redactions. The White House has pointed to a statement from the Justice Department alongside the release of the files, which emphasizes the files “may include fake or falsely submitted images, documents or videos” and false claims about Trump, and has not yet responded to a request for further comment.

What Documents Are Not In The Latest Release?

The latest Epstein files release does not include duplicate documents, materials shielded by attorney-client privilege, items that are “completely unrelated” to the cases against Epstein and Maxwell and documents that are allowed to be withheld under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the DOJ said upon releasing the files. The law allows the DOJ to withhold materials that are classified, depict violence, would identify victims or could compromise ongoing federal investigations.

Chief Critics

Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., told reporters the Justice Department is defying the Epstein Files Transparency Act signed by Trump in November, requiring the DOJ to make all unclassified files related to Epstein publicly available. Garcia said the DOJ released three of the six million Epstein files it collected, saying Trump and the Justice Department “have now made it clear that they intend to withhold roughly 50% of the Epstein files, while claiming to have fully complied with the law.” Garcia, who is the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, added, “We are demanding the names of Epstein’s co-conspirators and the men and pedophiles who abused women and girls.” Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who has threatened to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt for the delayed release of the Epstein files, invited Blanche to meet and discuss “whether all the survivor 302 statements were released that name the men who abused them.” FD-302 forms are used by the FBI to summarize interviews, investigations and evidence. Victims also criticized the Epstein files’ release, criticizing the Trump administration for failing to redact some victims’ names. “This latest release of Jeffrey Epstein files is being sold as transparency, but what it actually does is expose survivors,” a group of victims said in a statement Jan. 30, calling the document release “a betrayal of the very people this process is supposed to serve.”

Key Background

Epstein has been accused of sexually assaulting more than 100 women, many of whom were underage, and died in prison in 2019 after being indicted on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell has been identified as Epstein’s closest associate, and was convicted on sex trafficking charges after victims testified she helped recruit women for Epstein and took part in the alleged abuse. She pleaded not guilty to the charges against her, but was convicted on charges of sex trafficking and transporting minors to participate in illegal sex acts and sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022. Interest in Epstein’s case has kept up due to the financier’s association with numerous high-profile figures, and resurged last year after the DOJ announced it would not voluntarily release any more of its Epstein files. That prompted Congress to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November, which required the government to release its full Epstein files within 30 days. The latest release marks the largest release of documents in compliance with the law so far, after several smaller releases in December that included photos of former President Bill Clinton and flight logs showing Trump traveling on Epstein’s private plane with only the financier and a 20-year-old woman. Neither Clinton nor Trump have been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.

Further Reading

MORE FROM FORBESDOJ Releases Some Epstein Files — Including Many Clinton Photos: Here’s Everything We KnowBy Alison Durkee

MORE FROM FORBESWhat We Know About Bill Gates’ Connection To Jeffrey Epstein—As He Denies ‘False’ AllegationsBy Alison Durkee

MORE FROM FORBESTrump Flew On Epstein’s Jet More Times Than Previously Known, Email SuggestsBy Zachary Folk

MORE FROM FORBESHow Jeffrey Epstein Got So Rich: Two More Billionaire ClientsBy Giacomo Tognini