LOS ANGELES — As the world sifts through the latest “Epstein Files” released on Friday, January 30, 2026, tech entrepreneur and anti-aging enthusiast Bryan Johnson has shared a chilling account of his brief encounter with the disgraced financier. Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, February 1, Johnson revealed that a ten-minute professional video call in 2018 left him feeling physically ill.
1. The Introduction: A “Professional” Neuroscience Lead
Johnson, who was in the process of building his brain-interface company, Kernel, was introduced to Epstein via a mutual contact under the guise of scientific collaboration.
- The Pitch: Epstein was positioned as someone with deep ties to neuroscience research at MIT and Harvard.
- The Reality: Despite Epstein being “wrapped in credibility” by elite institutions, Johnson says his instinct fired immediately. “Being in his proximity felt dangerous,” Johnson tweeted. “I felt sick to my stomach.”
2. The “Hard No” and the Screenshot Controversy
As the DOJ’s file dump includes unvetted correspondence and contact logs, some social media users pointed to a screenshot suggesting Johnson had initially asked to meet Epstein in person.
- Johnson’s Clarification: Addressing the “asking to meet” allegation, Johnson explained that the request was made pre-call when he was traveling through New York.
- The Pivot: After the actual 10-minute video interaction, Johnson says he called the intermediary and told them he never wanted to speak to Epstein again. “It was a hard, instinctive ‘f**k no’,” he remarked.
3. The Institutional “Credibility Trap”
Johnson used his thread to highlight how Epstein manipulated his way into the tech and science sectors.
- The Algo: Johnson admitted checking for sex offender status wasn’t part of his “algo” (algorithm) for new professional intros at the time.
- The Shield: He criticized how prestigious universities continued to engage with Epstein even after his 2008 conviction, which allowed him to appear legitimate to outsiders. “He was always surrounded by people who made him seem important,” Johnson noted.
4. Context: The 2026 Epstein Files Release
The DOJ’s release of 3.1 million pages, 2,000 videos, and 180,000 images has put dozens of high-profile figures back under the lens.
- Names Involved: The files mention figures ranging from Elon Musk (regarding a subpoena for documents) to Crown Princess Mette-Marit and President Donald Trump.
- Legal Status: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the DOJ is now in full compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, though many files remain unvetted and do not necessarily imply wrongdoing by those mentioned.