In June, Elon Musk made headlines after claiming that former President Donald Trump was “in the Epstein files,” a pointed reference to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Now, newly released records suggest that Musk himself may once again face scrutiny over potential ties to the scandal.
Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate who is currently serving a prison sentence for sex trafficking a minor, was interviewed by Todd Blanche formerly Trump’s personal attorney and now a senior official at the U.S. Department of Justice. Portions of the redacted transcript, along with audio recordings of the exchange, were released by the DOJ on Friday, drawing fresh attention to Musk’s name in connection with the Epstein controversy.
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Brin’s Birthday Bash
According to newly released transcripts, Todd Blanche questioned Ghislaine Maxwell about her connections to influential figures, including Elon Musk.
When asked if she knew Musk, Maxwell confirmed she did, recalling that their first meeting took place around 2010 or 2011 at a private birthday celebration for Google co-founder Sergey Brin. The gathering, held on the Caribbean island estate of businessman Jean Pigozzi, hosted a small group of attendees—roughly 30 to 50 guests, according to Maxwell. She emphasized that Epstein was not present at the event but noted that Musk was among those in attendance for several days.
Their connection resurfaced amid reports in 2023 linking Epstein and Brin over tax advice, as well as Musk’s own highly publicized dispute with Brin following allegations of an affair with Brin’s then-wife, Nicole Shanahan.
The Photograph
Blanche also questioned Maxwell about Elon Musk’s brother, Kimbal, who was reportedly introduced to a girlfriend through Epstein years ago, according to a 2020 Business Insider report. Maxwell said she did not recall ever meeting Kimbal but acknowledged knowing of him.
As for Elon Musk, Maxwell noted that after their initial encounter at Sergey Brin’s birthday gathering, she saw him again at the Academy Awards. Pressed further, she clarified that this meeting occurred after the Caribbean trip. When asked if Epstein and Musk knew each other, Maxwell claimed her belief stemmed not from personal memory but from seeing email exchanges during discovery, adding that she thought Kimbal Musk may also have communicated with Epstein.
Maxwell’s account appears to reference the Vanity Fair Oscars party on March 2, 2014, where she was photographed standing beside Musk. At the time, Musk dismissed the incident, writing on Twitter in 2020: “Don’t know Ghislaine at all. She photobombed me once at a Vanity Fair party several years ago. Real question is why VF invited her in the first place.”
However, Maxwell’s claim that she first met Musk years earlier, in 2010 or 2011, adds a new wrinkle to the timeline—if her recollection is accurate. While prosecutors once accused Maxwell of perjury, those charges were dropped following her conviction for sex trafficking a minor.
The President and Another Birthday
The recently released interview is expected to attract intense scrutiny, given the high-profile individuals mentioned. It also raises questions about potential incentives for Maxwell, Todd Blanche, and former President Donald Trump. Blanche, who once served as Trump’s personal attorney, has close ties to Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, having appeared on Markus’s podcast twice, according to ABC News.
Trump himself has been notably evasive when asked about Maxwell. During a White House briefing on July 21, 2020, shortly after Maxwell was first imprisoned, he offered a cryptic response: “I haven’t really been following it too much. I just wish her well, frankly. I’ve met her numerous times over the years, especially since I lived in Palm Beach, and I guess they lived in Palm Beach, but I wish her well, whatever it is.”
This combination of connections, cautious statements, and overlapping social circles underscores the complicated web surrounding Maxwell, Epstein, and other influential figures.
The 2003 Birthday Album
Recent reporting by The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times highlighted a birthday album created for Jeffrey Epstein in 2003, which reportedly included friendly letters from figures such as billionaire Leslie Wexner, attorney Alan Dershowitz, and President Donald Trump. One letter allegedly referenced shared traits between the sender and Epstein, stating, “enigmas never age,” and concluding with, “Happy Birthday—and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Although no verified photograph of the letter has been released, falsified versions have circulated online. Trump maintained a friendship with Epstein for at least 15 years before the relationship reportedly soured—some defenders claim it was due to Epstein’s behavior at Mar-a-Lago, while others suggest a real estate dispute may have been the catalyst.
Notably, it is highly unusual for a senior Department of Justice official to personally interview an incarcerated individual, highlighting the exceptional circumstances surrounding these investigations.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Ghislaine Maxwell first meet Elon Musk?
According to Maxwell, she first met Musk around 2010 or 2011 at a birthday celebration for Google co-founder Sergey Brin on a Caribbean island.
Did Maxwell and Musk interact after that event?
Maxwell said they later saw each other at the Vanity Fair Oscars party in 2014, where they were photographed together. Musk has dismissed the encounter, calling it a photobomb.
Did Elon Musk’s brother, Kimbal, have any connection to Epstein?
Maxwell noted that she did not recall meeting Kimbal, though she believed he, like Elon, may have communicated with Epstein via email.
What is the significance of the 2003 birthday album for Epstein?
The album reportedly included letters from prominent figures, including Donald Trump, Leslie Wexner, and Alan Dershowitz, highlighting Epstein’s connections to influential individuals.
Why is this DOJ interview noteworthy?
It is unusual for a senior Department of Justice official to personally interview someone in prison, underscoring the exceptional nature of the investigation.
Conclusion
The newly released interview with Ghislaine Maxwell offers a rare glimpse into the social circles surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and raises fresh questions about the connections between high-profile figures, including Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump. While some details remain unverified, Maxwell’s recollections coupled with historical reporting and public records underscore the complex web of relationships that defined Epstein’s network.