‘Never met Jeffrey’: Dalai Lama denies links with Epstein files

The Dalai Lama, in a statement, denied any links with Jeffrey Epstein after reports of his name being mentioned in the file surfaced. The US Justice Department’s latest release of Epstein files has reignited global controversy by dragging a fresh set of high-profile names into public debate, including US President Donald Trump, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, billionaire Elon Musk and Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.The statement released by the office of the Dalai Lama denied links with Epstein, stating, “Some recent media reports and social media posts concerning the ‘Epstein files’ are attempting to link His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Jeffrey Epstein. We can unequivocally confirm that His Holiness has never met Jeffrey Epstein or authorised any meeting or interaction with him by anyone on His Holiness’s behalf.”

Legal experts and victim advocates stress that being named in the files does not equate to criminal implication, noting that the documents range from contact lists and correspondence to travel records and third-party mentions.The new tranche, published in late January under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, runs to more than 3 million pages and includes over 2,000 videos and around 1,80,000 images, making it the largest and final scheduled disclosure of federal material related to the disgraced financier.Alongside Trump, Gates and Musk, the DoJ release and previous Epstein-related records have cited or referenced figures such as Prince Andrew, former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, Sarah Ferguson, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, Kevin Spacey, Diana Ross and Chris Tucker.In many instances, lawyers and representatives for those named have either denied misconduct or said the references reflect social, professional or incidental contact rather than participation in Epstein’s crimes.The January release forms part of Washington’s attempt to address intense public pressure for transparency after Epstein’s 2019 arrest on sex-trafficking charges and his death in custody later that year.Under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the Justice Department was required to disclose responsive investigative materials, subject to redactions to protect victims and sensitive information.The newly released cache includes FBI documents, court records, emails, photos, videos and other evidence compiled over years of inquiry into Epstein and associates such as Ghislaine Maxwell.