Fact-check analysisUpdated November 9, 2026Curated by FactVerify
True

Elon Musk is in the Epstein files.

Elon Musk is indeed mentioned in the Department of Justice files concerning Jeffrey Epstein, though official documents and reporting contain no accusations of criminal wrongdoing against him.

Bill Gates, Elon Musk among big names in Epstein files. Here's what the latest documents show.

Bill Gates, Elon Musk among big names in Epstein files. Here's what the latest documents show.

Source: cbsnews.com

At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified November 9, 2026
  • The U.S. Department of Justice released millions of pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein that mention Elon Musk.

  • The documents include scheduling records and direct email correspondence between Musk and Epstein spanning 2012 and 2013.

  • Neither the DOJ documents nor investigative reports contain any accusations of criminal wrongdoing against Musk.

The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

The U.S. Department of Justice released a massive collection of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation following the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This transparency release included millions of pages of schedules, correspondence, and emails mentioning several high-profile figures, including billionaire Elon Musk.cbsnews.comcbsnews.comBill Gates, Elon Musk among big names in Epstein files. Here's what the latest...Elon Musk is mentioned and appears in the documents related to Jeffrey Epstein released by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) No Accusations of Criminal Wrongdoing:* Despite his appearance in the files and the email exchanges, neither... Investigative reporting and public records confirmed the presence of direct email exchanges between Musk and Epstein from 2012 and 2013, alongside various scheduling notes and correspondence records.time.comtime.comElon Musk Epstein EmailsThis release included a significant volume of emails, schedules, and correspondence mentioning or involving Elon Musk Email Correspondence: The files revealed direct email exchanges between Musk and Epstein spanning 2012 and 2013 *) Major...+1 more

Despite his inclusion in the documents, neither the Department of Justice files nor investigative journalists have accused Musk of participating in sex trafficking or any other criminal misconduct associated with Epstein.pbs.orgpbs.orgA List of Powerful Men Named in the Epstein Files from Elon Musk to Former...Accusations of Criminal Wrongdoing: Despite his appearance in the files and the email exchanges, neither the DOJ documents nor investigative reporting have accused Musk of participating in Epstein's sex-trafficking crimes or any other... In response to the document release, Musk contended that his communications were minimal, argued that detractors were misinterpreting the emails to damage his reputation, and dismissed the document rollout as a distraction.forbes.comforbes.comElon Musk Says his Emails with Jeffrey Epstein Are Misinterpreted Calls Release...He argued that his communications with Epstein were minimal, that the emails were being "misinterpreted" by detractors looking to smear his name, and that the release itself was a distraction

Primary trail

Verified Sources6

A List of Powerful Men Named in the Epstein Files from Elon Musk to Former...

pbs.org
Open source

Elon Musk Epstein Files Island Visits

theguardian.com
Open source

Bill Gates, Elon Musk among big names in Epstein files. Here's what the latest...

cbsnews.com
Open source
Transparency

Revision history

  1. Version 2November 9, 2026

    The verdict is upgraded from Mostly True to True because comprehensive DOJ releases and extensive media reporting have definitively established the presence of direct emails, schedules, and correspondence between Elon Musk and Jeffrey Epstein in the files.

    Mostly True → True
  2. Version 1September 26, 2025

    Initial published version

    Mostly True
Keep exploring

Where to go next

Continue with the evidence, catch up on the week, or save this check for later.