The U.S. Justice Department released millions of files related to the case of convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, shedding further light on his expansive network of high profile figures.
The latest dump – expected to be the last – contains some three million pages, including 180,000 images and some 2,000 videos attached to the case.
Initial findings from the drop include emails from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former British prince, inviting Epstein to Buckingham Palace years after the financier was convicted of sex crimes.
Messages from billionaire Elon Musk asked Epstein when his wildest party would be and discussed visiting his notorious island. It is unclear whether Musk, who is not accused of wrongdoing, ever visited.
And inn other emails, Epstein made allegations Bill Gates had engaged in extra marital affairs. A spokesperson for Gates vehemently denied the “absurd” allegations.
There’s no suggestion that appearing in the files implies wrongdoing. People who have appeared in previous releases have denied any illicit behaviour in relation to Epstein.
Below we look at the main revelations so far.
The former Prince Andrew invited Epstein to Buckingham Palace
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor invited Epstein to Buckingham Palace for dinner and “lots of privacy” years after the financier was convicted, the new documents suggest.
In one email, Andrew said that he was travelling to London, where Epstein was staying. He told Epstein: “We could have dinner at Buckingham Palace and lots of privacy”.
Epstein responded: “Already in london [sic]. what time woudl [sic] you like me and we will also need/ have private time.”
It is not clear whether a meeting at the palace took place. The Independent has approached Buckingham Palace for comment.
The latest release also included pictures that appeared to feature Andrew poised on all fours over a woman on the floor. It is unclear where and when the photos were taken, and the woman’s identity is masked.
In another message to Andrew, Epstein offered to introduce the then prince to a “clever, beautiful and trustworthy” Russian woman named “Irina”, who was 26.
Trump discussed often – and Epstein was asked about visit to Mar-a-Lago in 2012
The newly published files included hundreds of documents that mention Trump, many of which were collections of media reports.
One file details what appeared to be internal emails by federal investigators looking into salacious accusations involving the president and Epstein. The emails, from August 2025, give no indication that any claims had been substantiated. Investigators said several of the accusers were deemed not credible.
Another message, whose sender and recipient were both redacted, reads, “What does JE think of going to Mar-a-Lago after xmas instead of his island?” referring to Trump’s Florida club. The message is from 2012, years after Trump said the two men had stopped socialising.
Trump has denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. But the scandal has dogged him for months, in part because he promised to release the files during his 2024 presidential campaign, then reneged after taking office.
Elon Musk asked about ‘wild parties’ on Little St. James
Elon Musk and Epstein discussed visits to Little St. James several times, including in 2012, in which Musk asked Epstein: “What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?”
In a 2013 email exchange between Elon Musk and Epstein, the two went back and forth about scheduling a time in January for Musk to visit the island.
In the document, Musk wrote to Epstein on Christmas Day in 2013: “Actually, I could fly back early on the 3rd. We will be in St Bart’s. When should we head to your island on the 2nd?” It is not clear whether Musk ultimately visited.
Musk responded on Saturday on his X social media platform that he had been “well aware that some email correspondence with him could be misinterpreted and used by detractors to smear my name.”
“No one pushed harder than me to have the Epstein files released and I’m glad that has finally happened,” Musk wrote. “I had very little correspondence with Epstein and declined repeated invitations to go to his island or fly on his ‘Lolita Express.’”
Bill Gates denies Epstein claims of affair
-meeting-in-Davos-ow5trl8p.jpeg)
Bill Gates has strongly denied claims in the files that he had engaged in extramarital sex.
Epstein made the allegation in a drafted 225-word email he sent to himself on July 18, 2013, with the subject line: “bill.”
He wrote that, as an associate of Gates, he had been asked to do things that were “potentially over the line into the illegal.”
He added that Gates and his then-wife, Melinda Gates, had been caught up in a “severe marital dispute” and that he had helped facilitate “illicit trysts” for the billionaire.
A spokesperson for Bill Gates told The Independent: “These claims 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.”
Epstein sent £10,000 to Lord Mandelson’s husband
Lord Mandelson’s husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, had emailed Epstein in 2009 to ask him for money to attend the British School of Osteopathy and fund other related expenses.
The emails show that da Silva set out the costs of the course to Epstein, with one referring to a £10,000 payment, made two months after Epstein’s release from prison.
Epstein told Mr da Silva: “I will wire your loan amount immediated’y (sic).”
“Just a brief note to thank you for the money which arrived in my account this morning,” Mr da Silva later replied.
Last year, Lord Mandelson was sacked from his roles as UK ambassador to the US following mounting pressure over his ties to Epstein. On Friday, he issued a statement apologising to the victims of Epstein, saying he was unaware of Epstein’s crimes and “learned the actual truth about him after his death”.
Keir Starmer was asked if the payment, which was made while Lord Mandelson was serving as business secretary, fell below the standards of a peer in the realm.
The prime minister said: “In relation to Peter Mandelson, obviously he was removed as ambassador in relation to the further information that came to light in September of last year and I’ve nothing more to say in relation to Peter Mandelson.”
