---
title: "Elon Musk and LinkedIn founder Hoffman exchanged barbs over the \"Epstein scandal\": At least I didn't go, but you did"
description: "Elon Musk and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman engaged in a heated debate on social media, as Hoffman had previously visited Epstein's private island. Musk accused Hoffman of going to the island multiple"
type: "news"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/274894740.md"
published_at: "2026-02-05T01:25:26.000Z"
---

# Elon Musk and LinkedIn founder Hoffman exchanged barbs over the "Epstein scandal": At least I didn't go, but you did

> Elon Musk and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman engaged in a heated debate on social media, as Hoffman had previously visited Epstein's private island. Musk accused Hoffman of going to the island multiple times and reiterated that he had declined Epstein's invitation. Hoffman countered that his contact with Epstein was for fundraising purposes and admitted that collaborating with him was a mistake. The two were once members of the "PayPal Mafia" but fell out due to political differences

Elon Musk and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman engaged in a heated public debate on social media.

The clash began on Tuesday when Musk accused Hoffman of visiting Jeffrey Epstein's private island:

"Reid, the biggest difference between you and me is that you went, and I didn't. In fact, you went several times," Musk wrote on X, denying any comparability between their contacts with Epstein.

Musk reiterated that he had consistently rejected Epstein's invitations, including proposals to visit the island, and ultimately severed all ties with Epstein.

Hoffman quickly countered, denying Musk's claims and emphasizing that his interactions with Epstein were related to institutional fundraising, not personal relationships.

Hoffman stated that the purpose of his visit was to raise funds for the MIT Media Lab and to collaborate with the lab's former director Joi Ito. Hoffman later admitted that collaborating with Epstein was a mistake and expressed regret for any association with him.

It is noteworthy that both Musk and Hoffman are members of the "PayPal Mafia," and their differing political views have turned these former colleagues, who once attended each other's weddings, into adversaries, including Hoffman, Musk, Sax, and investor Peter Thiel—who all worked together at the online payment company in the 1990s before founding their own companies or becoming well-known investors.

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> **Disclaimer**: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.