Tech Billionaires’ Ties to Epstein: Photo Reveals 2015 Dinner Meeting

A photograph emailed by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein reveals a previously undisclosed dinner meeting with tech titans Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg in 2015, seven years after Epstein’s initial conviction on child sex offense charges.

The image, which Epstein sent to himself on August 3, 2015, shows the Facebook founder and the SpaceX CEO seated at a dinner table with several other individuals. The photo’s emergence adds to growing questions about the extent of Epstein’s relationships with prominent tech industry figures.

Just one day before emailing himself the photograph, Epstein messaged author Peter Attia, writing: “Where are you? I might be in LA Monday, burbank to look at the interior of the other bbj, tonite dinner with Musk, [Palantir boss Peter] Thiel, Zuckerburg.” When Attia later responded that it sounded like “an awesome dinner,” Epstein confirmed the gathering in a separate email to businessman Tom Pritzker on August 20, stating: “I had dinner with Zuckerberg, Musk, Thiel, Hoffman. Wild.”

The dinner appears to have taken place in Palo Alto, with Zuckerberg’s chief of staff reportedly acknowledging the Facebook founder’s attendance at a group dinner hosted by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. The purpose of the gathering and the nature of conversations remain unclear.

The revelation comes amid increased scrutiny of Silicon Valley figures’ associations with Epstein following his 2019 death in prison while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. The Justice Department’s release of Epstein’s emails and communications has shed new light on his extensive networking with powerful individuals across business, politics, and academia.

Of particular interest are previously revealed email exchanges between Musk and Epstein dating back to 2012, three years before the dinner photo. In one November 2012 message, Musk asked Epstein: “What day/night will be the wildest party on =our [your] island?” Later communications show Musk inquiring about parties and asking, “When should we head over to your island” in December 2013.

Musk has since addressed these messages on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter), suggesting his emails were “misinterpreted” and could be used to “smear my name.” He has previously denied visiting Epstein’s notorious private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands and stated he wants “those who committed serious crimes with Epstein” to face prosecution.

The tech industry has grappled with fallout from Epstein connections since his arrest and death. Several prominent tech figures and venture capitalists have faced questions about their interactions with Epstein, who was known to cultivate relationships with wealthy and influential people, often presenting himself as a financial advisor and philanthropist.

Industry analysts note that the dinner occurred during a period when Epstein was actively working to rehabilitate his public image through associations with respected figures in business, science and technology. For tech executives, the emerging details create potentially damaging associations at a time when the sector already faces intense regulatory scrutiny and public trust challenges.

It’s important to note that meeting with Epstein does not itself indicate wrongdoing, and no evidence has emerged suggesting the tech executives were involved in or aware of Epstein’s criminal activities. However, the continuing revelations raise questions about judgment and due diligence in professional associations.

As federal investigations into Epstein’s networks continue, further details about these interactions may emerge, potentially creating additional challenges for the tech executives involved and prompting renewed discussions about ethical boundaries in business networking.