Bannon texts, Musk emails, Lutnick invites: Epstein files reveal what he was planning & what happened in jail

A Justice Department release of millions of pages sheds new light on Jeffrey Epstein’s communications with prominent figures and on events surrounding his death in jail.

• Over 600,000 Epstein-related documents released, revealing elite contacts
• Epstein texted Bannon, emailed Musk and Lutnick
• Records reveal Epstein's jail death; calls for more document disclosure continue.

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A sweeping release of records tied to Jeffrey Epstein has revealed fresh details about the disgraced financier’s contacts with wealthy and politically connected figures, as well as new insights into the circumstances surrounding his death in jail.

The Justice Department said more than three million pages of documents, along with thousands of photos and videos, are being disclosed under a law passed by Congress. By Friday evening, over 600,000 documents were made public, according to officials. Millions more identified as potentially releasable remain sealed, prompting criticism from Democrats.

Political exchanges with Trump allies

According to a report by Associated Press, the documents show Epstein exchanged hundreds of friendly text messages with Steve Bannon, a close adviser to President Donald Trump, in the months before Epstein’s death in 2019. The conversations ranged from politics and travel to a documentary Bannon was said to be planning that could help rehabilitate Epstein’s reputation.

In one March 2019 message, Bannon asked Epstein if his private plane could pick him up in Rome. In another exchange, Epstein wrote that Trump “wakes up in the middle of the night sweating” when he hears that Epstein and Bannon were friends, though the context remains unclear due to redactions.

Around the same period, Epstein also communicated with Kathy Ruemmler, a former Obama White House official and lawyer. She later said through a spokesperson that she interacted with Epstein professionally and “regrets ever knowing him,” the AP reported.

Emails with Musk and Lutnick

AP reports that the newly released records also include emails between Epstein and Elon Musk in 2012 and 2013 discussing a possible visit to Epstein’s private island, a location central to many allegations of sexual abuse.

In one exchange, Epstein asked how many people Musk would want transported by helicopter. It remains unclear whether any visit occurred. Musk has previously said he refused Epstein’s invitations, posting on X in 2025 that he declined to go to the island.

Epstein also invited Howard Lutnick to the island in 2012. Emails show Lutnick’s wife accepted the invitation and mentioned arriving by yacht with their children. Lutnick has since distanced himself from Epstein, calling him “gross” and saying he cut ties years ago. He did not respond to an AP request for comment on Friday.

New details on Epstein’s death

Beyond elite contacts, the files include new material related to Epstein’s incarceration and death. Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in July 2019 and was found dead in his jail cell just over a month later. Multiple investigations have concluded his death was a suicide.

Emails between investigators included in the release note that Epstein’s final communication did not resemble a suicide note. The records also describe how jail staff used boxes and sheets to mislead reporters outside the facility during the removal of Epstein’s body, according to interview notes reviewed by the AP.

The documents say reporters followed a decoy van, while Epstein’s actual body was transported separately and “unnoticed.”

More files yet to come

While the disclosure marks one of the largest releases of Epstein-related material to date, significant portions of the records remain undisclosed. Lawmakers and transparency advocates have questioned why millions of pages are still being withheld.

As more files are reviewed, the latest release is likely to intensify scrutiny of Epstein’s relationships with powerful figures and renew debate over accountability surrounding his crimes and death.