Newly declassified emails from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Epstein Files include a 2013 exchange between Sir Richard Branson and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a message dated September 11, 2013, Branson wrote to Epstein that he’d enjoyed seeing him recently and would welcome another visit “as long as you bring your harem!” — an apparent reference to three adult women Epstein brought with him to Branson’s private Necker Island.
The email thread also shows Branson offering public relations advice to Epstein, suggesting how he might rehabilitate his reputation after his 2008 conviction. Branson reportedly outlined a hypothetical statement involving endorsements from other prominent figures and downplaying past legal issues.
Representatives for Branson and Virgin Group maintain that any contact with Epstein was limited and took place more than a decade ago — often in group or business settings — and insist Branson would not have used the term “harem” if he’d known the full context.
The disclosures form part of a large tranche of documents made public to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which has generated extensive media and political scrutiny.
