An intriguing photograph has emerged from the Epstein files, depicting a 2015 dinner attended by some of Silicon Valley’s most influential figures. Released by the U.S. Department of Justice, the image captures Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, SpaceX’s Elon Musk, and Joi Ito, the former director of MIT’s Media Lab, seated together. Although not pictured, PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel was also present at this notable gathering.

The photograph was sent via email by Jeffrey Epstein to himself on August 3, 2015, just a day after he boasted about dining with these technology leaders. A framed copy of this image was also prominently displayed in Epstein’s Manhattan apartment. According to emails included in the files, the dinner took place on August 2, 2015. That same evening, Epstein emailed author and physician Peter Attia, inquiring about his whereabouts and mentioning his dinner plans with Musk, Thiel, and Zuckerberg.

Attia responded with enthusiasm, noting, “Sounds like an awesome dinner.” Epstein, who died in a Manhattan prison in 2019, later described the event as “wild” in an August 20, 2015 email to billionaire Tom Pritzker. This description has resurfaced amid increased scrutiny of Epstein’s connections with powerful individuals. Those involved have since attempted to minimize their ties to Epstein, whose social network has been exposed through the Justice Department’s release of over three million documents. It’s important to note that appearing in these photographs is not indicative of any wrongdoing. Musk, now recognized as the world’s richest man, is featured multiple times in the files, which include earlier email exchanges suggesting a cordial relationship with Epstein years before the 2015 dinner.

On November 25, 2012, Musk emailed Epstein asking: ‘What day/night will be the wildest party on =our (sic) island?’ He added: ‘Probably just Talulah and me,’ referencing British actress Talulah Riley, his ex-wife. The message came in response to an email Epstein had sent the previous day asking: ‘How many people will you be for the heli to island?’ At the time, Epstein had already been convicted of sexual crimes against minors in Florida. Then in December 2013, Musk again contacted Epstein to coordinate a possible visit to the financier’s Caribbean island. ‘Will be in the BVI/St Bart’s area over the holidays,’ Musk wrote. ‘Is there a good time to visit?’ Epstein replied that the start of the new year would be ideal, telling Musk there was ‘always space for you.’ The pair exchanged further messages on Christmas Day, with Epstein writing: ‘the 2 or 3 would be perfect. I will come and get you.’ Musk responded that he would need to return to Los Angeles on January 2, 2013, before suggesting flexibility and concluding: ‘When should we head to your island on the 2nd?’ It remains unclear whether Musk ever made the trip, but the emails indicate a cordial relationship between the two men.

Despite the revelations, Musk has repeatedly denied being close to Epstein. In a Vanity Fair interview, he said: ‘I don’t recall introducing Epstein to anyone, as I don’t know the guy well enough to do so, Epstein is obviously a creep and Zuckerberg is not a friend of mine.’ He also took to X on January 31 to reject claims he attended Epstein’s gatherings, writing: ‘I have never been to any Epstein parties ever and have many times call [sic] for the prosecution of those who have committed crimes with Epstein.’ Other emails released by the DOJ showed that Ito attended a dinner with Epstein on November 30, 2014. Another correspondence revealed a discussion that Ito, 59, had about a trip with the financier. ‘Great! so all 3 will travel with Jeffrey on Sunday? I can make reservations for a car pick up for them on Sunday… I will get back to you,’ Ito wrote.

The venture capitalist and Japanese entrepreneur stepped down from his role at MIT in 2019 after it was revealed that Epstein donated $850,000 between 2002 and 2017 to the private research university. It was revealed that Ito tried to conceal the hefty donation that were directed toward the lab and Ito’s personal investment funds, NPR reported. The news of his ties to Epstein came after The New Yorker published a revealing article outing Ito’s involvement with him. ‘The effort to conceal the lab’s contact with Epstein was so widely known that some staff in the office of the lab’s director, Joi Ito, referred to Epstein as Voldemort or “he who must not be named”,’ the outlet wrote. Ito is currently the president of Chiba Institute of Technology, a private university in Narashino, Chiba, Japan.