A war of words between Elon Musk and Donald Trump has taken a dark turn with the former accusing the US President of hiding his links to convicted sex offender Jefferey Epstein. The tech mogul's claim, made publicly without supporting any evidence, has reignited controversy over the long-sealed Epstein files, just as the FBI prepares to release new documents.
How did a political feud turn personal?
The controversy began with a policy disagreement over Trump’s sweeping “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, a 1,000-page legislative proposal that includes a $4 trillion federal debt ceiling increase. Musk, a vocal critic of government overspending, opposed the plan, prompting Trump to accuse him of “going CRAZY” after losing subsidies for electric vehicles.
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But on Thursday, June 5, the spat turned nuclear. As Trump threatened to cut off government contracts to Musk’s companies, notably SpaceX, the billionaire hit back on X (formerly Twitter).
“@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public,” Musk posted, referring to the elusive documents collected during investigations into Epstein’s sex crimes. He ended with: “Have a nice day, DJT!”
Have a look at his post here:
No evidence was offered, and Musk has not elaborated since. Still, the timing of his claim coincides with upcoming FBI document releases, drawing renewed focus to one of America’s most disturbing scandals.
What are the Epstein Files?
The 'Epstein files' are a vast collection of evidence gathered across multiple cases involving Jeffrey Epstein and his associates, including Ghislaine Maxwell. The materials range from witness statements and financial records to personal diaries and flight logs from Epstein’s private jet, infamously nicknamed the 'Lolita Express'.
While some records have been made public, many remain under the seal. Conspiracy theories persist that authorities are withholding files to protect high-profile figures. Legal experts, however, caution that being named in the files does not equate to criminal conduct.
US Attorney-General Pam Bondi confirmed in May that the FBI was reviewing “tens of thousands” of documents and would release them in phases, following appropriate redactions to protect victims and investigations. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino told Fox News that more materials were expected "within weeks".
Who was Jeffery Epstein?
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Jeffrey Epstein was a financier with deep connections in elite circles, ranging from Wall Street to Buckingham Palace. In 2008, he was convicted in Florida for soliciting sex from a minor in a controversial plea deal that allowed him to serve just over a year in custody, largely on work release.
In 2019, he was re-released on federal charges of sex trafficking minors but died in jail weeks later in what was officially ruled a suicide. His death prompted widespread outrage and fuelled suspicion of a broader cover-up.
Epstein’s close associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, was later convicted for her role in recruiting and grooming girls for Epstein’s abuse.
Trump's links to Epstein
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Donald Trump and Epstein moved in the same social circles throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. They were photographed together at multiple events, including at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, as per reports. Trump once told New York Magazine, “I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy... He likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”
According to flight logs released during Maxwell’s trial, Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet several times, mostly between New York and Florida. However, their relationship reportedly soured in 2004 after a dispute over a real estate deal. Trump later claimed he banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago after a staff member accused him of inappropriate behaviour.
As of now, no direct evidence has emerged implicating Trump in Epstein’s crimes.
