LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman reveals how Elon Musk’s conspiracy theory has threatened his life

Reid Hoffman, cofounder of LinkedIn, has hired security after receiving threats of violence due to conspiracy theories spread by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The tension between the two entrepreneurs escalated after Musk repeatedly linked Hoffman to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, who faced multiple charges related to sex trafficking before his death in 2019. Hoffman strongly denies these allegations and expressed both anger and sadness over Musk’s defamatory remarks.

Musk’s Baseless Conspiracy Theories About Epstein

The controversy began when Musk responded to a post on X (formerly Twitter) that accused Hoffman of visiting Epstein’s private island. The post suggested that Hoffman was concerned about the release of Epstein’s client list, and Musk’s response — a simple "100" emoji — further fueled the conspiracy.

Musk's claims continued in an interview with Tucker Carlson in October 2023. In the interview, Musk stated that Hoffman, along with other prominent Democratic donors such as Bill Gates, was "terrified" by the possibility of Epstein's client list being made public. Musk went as far as to claim, "Yeah, he’s terrified of a Trump victory," further questioning whether Hoffman feared "the disclosure that would follow" should the list be released.

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Hoffman Denies All Allegations

Hoffman strongly rejected the accusations, calling them baseless and damaging. Speaking to The Sunday Times, he said, "Elon’s defamation makes me angry and sad. Angry because it is an ugly assault. Sad because it comes from someone whose entrepreneurial achievements I continue to admire." Hoffman clarified that he had never attended any of Epstein’s infamous parties and did not even know who Epstein was before their brief interaction.

Hoffman’s only known interaction with Epstein was in 2015, when he attended a fundraising dinner for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab, where Epstein was involved in raising donations. Hoffman later expressed regret for his involvement, admitting that his participation in the event helped to repair Epstein’s reputation. "For this, I am deeply regretful," Hoffman wrote in an email to Axios. He also told The Sunday Times, "My last interaction with Epstein was in 2015."

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Security Threats and Personal Impact

The accusations have led to significant personal consequences for Hoffman. He revealed that he had received violent threats from individuals associated with the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement, which he attributed to Musk’s allegations. "It’s hard when someone is generating completely slanderous lies that end up resulting in crazy Maga people sending you threats of violence," Hoffman said in the interview. As a result, Hoffman made the decision to hire security staff to ensure his safety.

Hoffman has found himself in a difficult position, as his once-close professional relationship with Musk has soured. In the past, Hoffman defended Musk when former President Donald Trump criticized the Tesla CEO, calling Musk’s story a "classic American immigrant success story." However, the political divide between the two has grown increasingly apparent, with Hoffman supporting Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign and Musk aligning himself with Trump, including a $250 million donation to Trump’s political initiatives.

Musk’s Social Media Posts Add Fuel to the Fire

In addition to the interview comments, Musk has also used his platform on X to continue promoting the conspiracy theories. In July, Musk wrote in a post, "When is there not one – just one – even attempted prosecution of that Epstein (Bill Gates & Reid Hoffman come to mind) client list." This further stirred controversy and led to even more public scrutiny of Hoffman.

Hoffman’s connection to Epstein stems from his involvement in the 2015 MIT fundraising dinner, where Epstein was invited by the MIT Media Lab. While MIT’s involvement in the event was vetted, Hoffman has since admitted that he should have conducted his own research on Epstein before agreeing to attend. In a statement, he expressed deep regret, acknowledging that he inadvertently contributed to Epstein’s reputation.

Hoffman’s support for Democratic candidates, particularly his substantial donations to Kamala Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign, has also made him a target for Musk’s comments, who has aligned himself with former President Trump. The growing political divide has only intensified the tension between the two, with Hoffman’s involvement in Democratic causes now being used as ammunition in Musk’s attacks.

No Response from Musk

Musk did not respond to requests for comment on Hoffman’s allegations or the security threats Hoffman has faced. However, his continued use of social media to promote unfounded claims and conspiracy theories continues to affect Hoffman’s life.

Reid Hoffman’s ordeal illustrates the harmful consequences that can arise from baseless conspiracy theories. Despite the lack of evidence linking him to Epstein, Musk’s repeated statements have caused lasting damage to Hoffman’s reputation, culminating in threats to his safety. Hoffman’s decision to hire security highlights the personal toll of the situation, and as the controversy continues, the impact of Musk’s words on Hoffman’s life remains significant.