Just how friendly were Musk and Epstein?

‘Pedo’ is one of the favourite insults of Elon Musk, the X owner, space-botherer and on-off Donald Trump ally.

Back in 2018 he landed himself in almost literal hot water after launching an extraordinary attack on a British diver who helped rescue a group of boys trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand, baselessly calling him a “pedo” on Twitter – which he had then yet to buy – and then doubling down.

Twelve boys and their football coach were rescued from the Tham Luang cave complex by an international team after a week of intense drama, but Musk was put out that his offer to assist the rescue mission by providing a wildly impractical submarine was turned down. The Tesla owner lashed out, saying he would make a video proving that his “mini-sub” would have been successful and adding: “Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it.”

The accusation, presented without evidence or context, was directed at Vern Unsworth, a British cave explorer who had said Musk’s attempt to help the rescue effort was a “PR stunt”. Unsworth sued for defamation but lost, with Musk telling the court the phrase “pedo guy” was common in South Africa, where he grew up.

Musk has been rather quieter, though, over someone who was an actual, literal pedo guy: Jeffrey Epstein, who in 2008 was jailed for 13 months after pleading guilty to felony charges of procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute. Documents just released by the US Department of Justice showed relations between the pair were more extensive – and more friendly – than previously thought.

Emails in the files appear to show the pair messaging each other on two separate occasions to make plans for Musk to visit Epstein’s island. They exchanged messages in both 2012 and 2013, although it appears Musk was kept away by logistical issues.

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In November 2012, Epstein sent Musk an email asking “how many people will you be for the heli to island”. “Probably just Talulah and me. What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?” Musk replied, in an apparent reference to his former wife Talulah Riley.

The next month Musk wrote: “Do you have any parties planned? I’ve been working to the edge of sanity this year and so, once my kids head home after Christmas, I really want to hit the party scene in St Barts or elsewhere and let loose. The invitation is much appreciated, but a peaceful island experience is the opposite of what I’m looking for.”

Musk has been a long-time critic of those linked to Epstein – including Bill Gates and, after they fell out, Trump himself – but the new emails appear to contradict his own longstanding denial of any ties of his own. He told Vanity Fair in 2019 that Epstein was “obviously a creep” and claimed that Epstein “tried repeatedly to get me to visit his island. I declined.” Although the emails appear to show it was work schedule issues which kept him from visiting rather than any moral quandaries.

Musk has since written on X that “Nobody has fought harder for full release of the Epstein files and prosecutions of those who abused children more than I did, knowing full well that the legacy media, far-left propagandists and those who are actually guilty would: 1. Admit nothing 2. Deny everything 3. Make counter-accusations against me.”

“I knew that I would be smeared relentlessly, despite never having attended his parties or been on his “Lolita Express” plane or set foot on his creepy island or done anything wrong at all.”

Sorry Elon, you really did ask for it!