From presidents to tech titans: The most shocking names exposed in 3 million-page Epstein file leak
Millions of newly released Justice Department files tied to Jeffrey Epstein reveal connections with several high-profile political, business and academic figures.
As the files were made public, several people regretted their association with the paedophile and some even resigned from their posts. (Photo: X)
The release of files by the US Justice Department related to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has rippled through politics, academia and business, revealing the alleged secrets that many prominent personalities kept with Epstein.
As the files were made public, several people regretted their association with the paedophile, and some even resigned from their posts. The release of millions of files on Epstein has exposed the disgraced financier’s social connections with people whom he invited to his infamous island.
Epstein, who died in a prison cell in New York in 2019, had been convicted of soliciting prostitution from an underage girl in 2008. (AP file)
Here’s a list of some high-profile names who appeared in the Epstein files:
Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein with model Ingrid Seynhaeve in a photo released by House Oversight Democrats. (Photo: X/@ballaballin)
Donald Trump US President
The recently released files by the Justice Department include photos of Trump with Epstein and unverified documents from the FBI that detail a woman’s allegations of sexual misconduct against President Trump.
Bill Clinton Former US president
The Epstein Files include photos of Clinton, with one showing the former Democratic president in a swimming pool. However, during a deposition before the House Oversight Committee in February, Clinton said he “saw nothing and I did nothing wrong.”
Howard Lutnick US Commerce Secretary
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Trump’s Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was linked with Epstein after files showed that he visited Epstein’s infamous island, and the two reportedly signed a document for stakes in a technology company that no longer operates, the Wall Street Journal reported. During a Senate hearing last month, Lutnick acknowledged that he visited the island once with his family but “did not have any relationship with him.”
The royal prince of Saudi Arabia appears in two photographs wherein he is seen smiling with Epstein. The context of the image remains unclear; however, the deceased sex offender reportedly framed and displayed one of the images at his New York residence.
Larry Summers Professor at Harvard University
Summers visited Epstein’s townhouse several times and allegedly had a years-long relationship with the disgraced financier. After his name popped up in the released files, Summers said he was “deeply ashamed” of his communications with Epstein and announced last month that he would resign from teaching at Harvard after the end of the academic year.
Noam Chomsky Professor at Arizona University
Chomsky was in correspondence with Epstein in 2019 when the professor counselled the paedophile on handling bad press, the Justice Department’s files have shown. Chomsky’s wife, Valéria Chomsky in a statement, had said, “We were careless in not thoroughly researching his background.”
Steve Bannon Former Trump adviser
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Trump’s former adviser Bannon exchanged several messages with Epstein in 2018 and 2019, wherein he reportedly offered tips on handling the scrutiny by the press to the sex offender. Bannon had recorded an interview with Epstein that was released as part of the files.
Images from an undated and redacted document released by the US Department of Justice, photographed show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, leaning over an unidentified person. (Photo: AP)
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Former Royal Prince
Former UK Prince Andrew, who was arrested and released in February pending further investigation, has had extensive interactions with the convicted sex offender. Photos in the Epstein files show Andrew with a woman lying on the ground. The former royal also invited Epstein to dinner at Buckingham Palace, according to a 2010 email.
Peter Mandelson Ex-UK ambassador to US
The files show Epstein had a years-long and close relationship with Mandelson, who was recently arrested and released by the UK police pending further investigation. Mandelson contributed to Epstein’s controversial 2003 birthday book and reportedly visited Epstein’s island.
Mark Zuckerberg Meta CEO
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Justice Department’s files reveal Zuckerberg at a 2015 dinner with a group of Silicon Valley billionaires that was organised by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and attended by Epstein. Meta has said that Zuckerberg met Epstein once at the dinner and didn’t communicate with him again.
Bill Gates Chair at Gates Foundation
Bill Gates met Jeffrey Epstein several times since 2011 and even flew on a private plane with him, the WSJ reported. The released files show Gates with women, but the faces have been redacted by the Justice Department. Gates apologised to his staff at the foundation last month and said, “I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit.”
Sergey Brin Google Co-founder
In a photo released in the files, Brin is reportedly seen with women on a tropical island, though the faces of the women were redacted. Documents have shown that Epstein suggested the Google co-founder set up a tax savings trust for his children in 2007.
Richard Branson seen alongside Jeffrey Epstein in newly-released Epstein files. (Photo: X/@decensorednews)
The Epstein files include an undated photo of Branson with the deceased sex offender on a tropical island and a few pieces of correspondence, including an exchange between the two in 2013 wherein Epstein thanked Branson for his hospitality, the WSJ reported.
Elon Musk Tesla and SpaceX CEO
The world’s richest person, Elon Musk, also features in the Epstein files released by the Trump administration, wherein several email exchanges between Musk and Epstein are recorded, which allegedly talk about potential trips to Epstein’s island. However, Musk, in a post on X, wrote, “have never been to any Epstein parties ever and have many times called for the prosecution of those who have committed crimes with Epstein.”
Reid Hoffman LinkedIn Co-founder
Hoffman offered to help Epstein to manage the bad press when he faced sex trafficking allegations, and LinkedIn’s co-founder also visited the disgraced financier’s island in 2014. In his clarification, Hoffman said that he knew Epstein through a “fundraising relationship with MIT, which I very much regret.”
Nischai Vats is a Deputy Copy Editor at The Indian Express. His work primarily covers US politics and visa and immigration policy, alongside broader international developments, with an emphasis on accuracy, verification, and clear explainers.
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Nischai joined The Indian Express in May 2024 where he works on writing, editing, and refining high-impact stories for digital platforms. His role involves ensuring editorial consistency, factual accuracy, and clarity in coverage of complex policy-driven subjects.
Earlier in his career, he worked across Indian digital newsrooms in reporting and editing roles, including stints at Inshorts, Newslaundry, Tiranga TV, and Catch News. His newsroom experience spans rapid digital publishing, ground reporting, and copy editing across national, civic, and policy beats.
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His core areas of focus include:
US politics and governance: Coverage of American political developments, executive actions, and policy shifts.
US visa and immigration policy: Reporting and editing stories on visa categories, regulatory changes, and immigration pathways affecting global audiences.
Editorial accuracy and copy editing: Ensuring clarity, language precision, and verification in fast-paced digital news environments.
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Nischai's journalism is grounded in verified sources, official documentation, and clear attribution, in line with The Indian Express’ editorial standards. His background across reporting and editing enables him to translate complex policy updates into reliable, reader-friendly coverage. ... Read More
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As the files were made public, several people regretted their association with the paedophile and some even resigned from their posts. (Photo: X) 
