2026 Epstein Files: Zuckerberg "Wanted to Keep in Touch"

The February 2026 unsealing of Department of Justice records has challenged the long-standing narrative that Mark Zuckerberg only met Jeffrey Epstein "in passing." While a 2019 Meta spokesperson stated that Zuckerberg had no communication with Epstein following a single dinner, the newly released files—mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act—unveiled a series of emails suggesting a clear intent to maintain a professional line of communication.

The documents, released on January 30, 2026, detail the aftermath of a secretive August 2015 dinner in Palo Alto that was attended by Silicon Valley's most powerful "Broligarchy."

The August 2015 "Wild" Dinner

The focal point of the Zuckerberg revelations is an intimate dinner held on August 2, 2015, at the now-closed restaurant Baumé in Palo Alto.

• The Host: The event was organized by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman for MIT neuroscientist Ed Boyden, but the 2026 files show that Epstein was not just a guest—he was a key instigator who helped coordinate the attendee list.

• The Attendees: A viral photograph released by the DOJ shows Mark Zuckerberg seated next to Elon Musk, with Peter Thiel, Joi Ito, and Reid Hoffman also at the table.

• The "Wild" Review: In an email sent to billionaire Tom Pritzker on August 20, 2015, Epstein bluntly described the gathering as "wild." In a separate email to Peter Attia, he bragged about the "awesome" guest list.

The "Keep in Touch" Email Exchange

Contradicting Meta’s previous claims of "no further contact," the 2026 files reveal an email exchange three days after the dinner, on August 5, 2015.

• The Request: Epstein’s assistant, Lesley Groff, emailed Zuckerberg’s chief of staff, Andrea Besmehn, stating: "At the party Mark requested Jeffrey send his contact info... Could you please pass the below on to Mark?" The email contained Epstein's cell phone number and personal email address.

• The Acknowledgment: Besmehn replied, "Noted, with thanks," and subsequently forwarded the information directly to Zuckerberg.

• The "Connectivity" Discussion: The files also include an email from Epstein directly to Zuckerberg later that day. Epstein wrote that he was following up on a question Zuckerberg had posed regarding "connectivity" and poverty. Epstein reportedly criticized a 2007 Economist article Zuckerberg had cited, telling him his logic on profit was "outdated."

Epstein’s Goal: The "New Financial System"

Internal memos from Epstein’s staff suggest he viewed Zuckerberg as a high-value target for his intellectual and financial schemes.

• The Pitch: Epstein told Joi Ito that he wanted to get Zuckerberg to "chime in" on a "new financial system" he was developing.

• The "High Intellect" Lure: Epstein used his typical tactic of "intellectual grooming," sending Zuckerberg links to complex lectures by mathematicians like Mikhael Gromov to establish himself as a peer in Zuckerberg's world of "big ideas."

Meta’s 2026 Defense

Following the release of these emails in February 2026, a spokesperson for Meta reiterated that Zuckerberg never engaged in "any ongoing or meaningful relationship" with Epstein.

“As we have said since 2019, Mark attended a large industry dinner where Epstein was present. The fact that an assistant sent over contact information—as happens at thousands of networking events—does not change the reality that Mark had no further communication or business dealings with this individual.”

However, critics point out that the 2026 files show Zuckerberg was the one who proactively requested the contact information, a detail that was omitted from all previous corporate statements.

Source - https://jacobin.com/2026/02/zuckerberg-epstein-big-tech-elite

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