Tech Billionaires & Epstein: Gates, Musk, Brin, Thiel & Hoffman

Overview

The release of 3.5 million pages from the DOJ Epstein Library on January 30, 2026, has brought renewed attention to Jeffrey Epstein's connections with prominent figures in the technology industry. According to reporting by the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and the Associated Press, the released documents contain communications, meeting records, and other references to several technology billionaires.

Critical context: Being named in Epstein-related documents does not imply participation in or knowledge of criminal activity. Epstein cultivated relationships across many industries, and many individuals who interacted with him were unaware of his criminal conduct. For more on this distinction, see our page on the Epstein list.

Bill Gates

Bill Gates's meetings with Epstein represent one of the most extensively documented relationships between a technology figure and the convicted sex offender. According to the New York Times:

• Gates met with Epstein multiple times beginning in 2011, three years after Epstein's 2008 conviction
• He visited Epstein's New York townhouse at least three times
• He flew on one of Epstein's aircraft in 2013
• Gates has called the meetings "a huge mistake"
• The DOJ Epstein Library release has provided additional documentation of their communications

No evidence of criminal wrongdoing by Gates has emerged from the documents. Gates has not been charged with any offenses.

Read our full analysis: Bill Gates and Epstein: Meetings, Donations & What Records Show

Elon Musk

The DOJ Epstein Library release included email communications between Elon Musk and Jeffrey Epstein dating to approximately 2014, according to the Wall Street Journal. The emails discuss a potential visit by Musk to Epstein's private island.

• The emails show Epstein extending an invitation and Musk expressing interest, according to media reporting
• Musk has publicly stated he did not visit Epstein's island
• The communications date to after Epstein's 2008 conviction
• The emails do not confirm that a visit occurred

Read our full analysis: Elon Musk and Epstein: What the Emails Show

Sergey Brin

Google co-founder Sergey Brin has been referenced in Epstein-related documents, according to media reporting. Epstein reportedly attended social events and dinners where Brin was present. According to the Wall Street Journal:

• Brin's name appears in Epstein's contact records and scheduling documents
• There is no evidence of a close personal relationship between Brin and Epstein
• Brin has not been charged with or accused of any criminal wrongdoing

Reid Hoffman

LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman has publicly acknowledged his connection to Epstein and apologized for it. According to Vanity Fair and the New York Times:

• Hoffman visited Epstein's island and has acknowledged this publicly
• He has stated he went at the invitation of others and was unaware of Epstein's criminal activities
• He issued a public apology in 2019, calling the association a "mistake"
• He stated he helped arrange a meeting between Epstein and MIT, which he later regretted

Hoffman's acknowledgment and apology preceded the 2026 DOJ release and reflected the pre-existing reporting on his connection.

Peter Thiel

PayPal co-founder and venture capitalist Peter Thiel's name appears in Epstein-related documents, according to media reporting. The nature and extent of any relationship between Thiel and Epstein remain subjects of reporting:

• Thiel's name appears in Epstein's contact records
• The specific context of Thiel's mentions in the documents varies
• Thiel has not been charged with or accused of any criminal wrongdoing

Richard Branson

Virgin Group founder Richard Branson's connection to Epstein has been referenced in court documents and media reporting:

• Epstein reportedly visited Branson's Necker Island in the Caribbean
• Branson has stated he did not have a close relationship with Epstein
• He has said he was not aware of Epstein's criminal activities
• The DOJ file release has provided additional documentation of contacts between Epstein and individuals in Branson's social circle

The Pattern of Cultivation

Epstein's outreach to technology industry leaders followed a documented pattern, according to analysis by the New York Times and Wall Street Journal:

1. Strategic introductions — Epstein sought introductions to prominent figures through mutual contacts
2. Philanthropic positioning — He positioned himself as a connector who could facilitate charitable giving
3. Scientific interest — He funded and attended scientific conferences, gaining access to technology leaders
4. Social events — He hosted gatherings that brought together influential people from multiple industries
5. Financial services — He offered financial advisory services, though his client base was far more limited than he claimed

The Post-2008 Question

A recurring theme in the technology billionaire connections is timing. Several documented interactions occurred after Epstein's 2008 guilty plea. This raises questions about:

• What prominent individuals knew about Epstein's criminal history
• Whether the lenient terms of the 2008 plea deal contributed to continued social acceptance
• The role of social networks in enabling continued access to elite circles

What We Know and What We Don't

Based on court records, DOJ releases, and verified reporting:

• Multiple technology industry billionaires had documented contact with Epstein
• The DOJ Epstein Library release has provided new documentation of these contacts
• Several individuals have acknowledged and apologized for their connections
• No technology industry figure has been charged with criminal offenses related to Epstein

What remains unknown:

• The full scope of technology industry contacts in the unreleased or still-sealed documents
• Whether ongoing DOJ investigations involve any technology figures
• The complete context of all documented interactions
• Whether financial transactions beyond those already reported occurred

Primary Sources

1. New York Times, Gates-Epstein reporting — nytimes.com
2. Wall Street Journal, tech mogul communications — wsj.com
3. DOJ Epstein Library, released communications — justice.gov
4. Reuters, fact-checking analysis — reuters.com
5. Associated Press, Silicon Valley coverage — apnews.com
6. Vanity Fair, Hoffman apology — vanityfair.com

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For details on other individuals named in Epstein documents, see The Epstein List. Browse the complete Epstein Files or explore the full case timeline.