‘This Is All Performative’: Musk Says Arrests, Not File Releases, Key To Justice In Epstein Case

Last Updated:January 31, 2026, 21:47 IST

Musk’s comments came as newly released documents shed light on his past communications with Jeffrey Epstein.

Musk said releasing files without arrests would be “performative” as scrutiny grows over his past contacts with Epstein. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

Tech billionaire Elon Musk on Saturday said that justice in the Jeffrey Epstein case will only be served through the prosecution of those who committed crimes alongside the late financier, dismissing the release of select Epstein-related files as “performative".

Responding to a post backing him on X, Musk said what mattered was not the disclosure of “some subset of the Epstein files" but the arrest and prosecution of those involved in crimes with Epstein. “When there is at least one arrest, some justice will have been done. If not, this is all performative. Nothing but a distraction," Musk wrote.

Musk’s comments come amid renewed scrutiny following the release of US Department of Justice documents that shed light on his past communications with Epstein.

According to The Guardian, the documents released by the US Department of Justice show the SpaceX CEO had more extensive email exchanges with Epstein than previously publicly known, including discussions about a possible visit to Epstein’s private island, Little St James.

The report said that emails from 2012 and 2013 show Musk and Epstein communicating about potential travel plans to the island, though there is no evidence that such a visit ever took place. In one exchange dated December 2013, Musk asked Epstein if there was “a good time to visit" while he was in the Caribbean. Epstein responded by saying there was “always space" for him.

In an email dated December 13, 2013, Musk told Epstein he would be in the “BVI/St Bart’s area over the holidays" and asked if there was a “good time to visit".

Epstein replied that he was available “any day 1st–8th", adding that there was “always space" if Musk wished to play it by ear.

The two then exchanged several emails to align schedules and tentatively settled on January 2 for the visit. However, the exchange ended with Epstein saying the meeting would not take place as he would need to remain in New York.

“Bad news — unfortunately, my schedule will keep me in New York," Epstein wrote, adding that he had been looking forward to spending time together and hoped they could plan another meeting in the future.

In another exchange from November 2012, Epstein asked Musk how many people would be travelling to the island by helicopter. Musk replied that it would likely be “just Talulah and me", referring to his then wife Talulah Riley, and asked which day or night would have the “wildest party".

“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 had written.

“Understood , I will see you on st Barth, the ratio on my island might make Talilah uncomfortable," Epstein wrote in response.

“Ratio is not a problem for Talulah," Musk said.

The report said that despite these exchanges, logistical issues appear to have prevented any visit.

In an email dated January 2, 2013, Musk indicated that the proposed visit would not take place due to logistical issues.

Musk has previously denied having ties to Epstein, telling Vanity Fair in 2019 that Epstein was “obviously a creep" and that he had declined repeated invitations to visit the island. Epstein was convicted in 2008 of soliciting prostitution from a minor and was arrested again in 2019 on federal sex-trafficking charges before dying in custody.

News world ‘This Is All Performative’: Musk Says Arrests, Not File Releases, Key To Justice In Epstein Case

Read More