Newly released emails from the Department of Justice have unveiled that Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender, engineered an intimate relationship between Kimbal Musk and a woman within his network. Kimbal Musk, the younger brother of Tesla CEO Elon Musk and a board member at the electric car giant, was involved with the woman for approximately six months between 2012 and 2013, according to the documents.
Epstein's Role in the Connection
The emails, part of a recent release of 3 million documents related to Epstein, depict a friendly and intricate relationship between Kimbal Musk and Epstein that goes beyond casual acquaintance. In the lead-up to their first meeting, Epstein and his associate Boris Nikolic worked to set up Musk with the woman, bringing her to a birthday party Musk was hosting in Manhattan. Nikolic emailed Epstein, stating, "please prepare [the woman] —;)" to ensure the connection was made.
Email Exchanges and Social Invitations
Following the party, Kimbal Musk expressed gratitude in an email to Epstein and Nikolic in October 2012, writing, "Jeffrey and Boris, many thanks for connecting me with [the woman]. I believe you both played a role. :)" Throughout their relationship, the woman forwarded personal messages from Musk to Epstein, seeking guidance, though there is no indication Musk was aware of this backchannel correspondence.
The woman, through her lawyer, has stated in recent years that she was coerced and abused by Epstein while in his circle. Her full name appears in the documents due to a faulty redaction, but she has not publicly spoken about her relationship with Musk, and attempts to reach her for comment were unsuccessful.
Kimbal Musk's Public Response
After the Guardian sent a request for comment, Kimbal Musk posted a statement on X, addressing the Epstein files. He claimed that Epstein did not introduce him to the woman, whom he described as 30 years old at the time, and that his only meeting with Epstein was in his New York office. Musk asserted that the abundance of emails was due to Epstein being subscribed to a newsletter he sent to thousands of people.
"My heart goes out to the many victims of Jeffrey Epstein, as it does for all who have suffered any kind of sexual abuse or harassment," Musk wrote. However, the emails suggest a more involved relationship, with Musk inviting Epstein to events like a SpaceX launch and joking about Halloween costumes together.
Broader Implications for the Musk Family
The revelations come amid increased scrutiny of both Kimbal and Elon Musk's ties to Epstein. Elon Musk has previously attempted to distance himself from Epstein, calling him "obviously a creep," but the emails show social invitations and exchanges, including discussions about visiting Epstein's private island. Elon Musk claimed these communications were "misinterpreted" and labeled the file release a "distraction."
Kimbal Musk, though less prominent than his brother, holds significant positions, including roles at Tesla and SpaceX, and has profited from Tesla stock sales. He recently left the board of the Burning Man festival, with a spokesperson stating the decision was made before the Epstein email release, though community backlash has followed the revelations.
Timeline of Events and Aftermath
The relationship between Musk and the woman appears to have ended in 2013 when Musk emailed her to slow things down, suggesting they revert to casual dating. The woman forwarded this email to Epstein, who responded with advice, including inviting her to his ranch. Despite the end of the intimate relationship, Musk continued to invite Epstein to private events through at least 2014.
Epstein, who died in 2019 while facing federal sex trafficking charges, long used social connections to access powerful individuals. The emails highlight how he leveraged personal relationships to court the Musk brothers during a period when Kimbal was navigating post-divorce life, which he described as a chaotic time of dating and partying.
This story underscores the ongoing investigations into Epstein's network and the complex web of associations with high-profile figures, raising questions about accountability and transparency in the wake of the justice department's document releases.
