A cache of emails between tech entrepreneur Peter Thiel and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has revealed a secret relationship between the two men that lasted for over four years.
The emails, released by the US Justice Department, show that Epstein and Thiel exchanged messages on a regular basis, discussing everything from cryptocurrency and magic mushrooms to Brexit and mosquitoes.
According to the emails, Epstein was persistent in courting Thiel, inviting him to dine with him on at least 10 occasions and offering to introduce him to high-profile contacts.
Thiel, who has been a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, has denied visiting Epstein's island in the US Virgin Islands, but the emails suggest that he may have been more involved with Epstein than he has previously let on.
The emails also reveal that Epstein used Thiel to his advantage, dangling him as a connection he could offer to others in his circle.
Thiel's relationship with Epstein has raised questions about his judgment and his willingness to associate with someone who was accused of sex trafficking and other crimes.
The full details of when and where Thiel and Epstein met are not entirely clear, but it is known that they first began exchanging emails in 2014, roughly five years after Epstein was released from custody in Florida.
The emails suggest that Thiel was a valuable connection for Epstein, who used him to try to convince a cryptocurrency startup to let him invest anonymously.
Thiel's ties to the Trump administration include White House Special Advisor for AI and Crypto David Sacks and Vice President JD Vance, who joined Mithril Capital Management, a venture fund backed by Thiel, after graduating from Yale Law School.
