Emails Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's key advisers before stepping down from the White House in 2017

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can catch the plane we are heading to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".

These messages were published on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We're going to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.

On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for the political party informed media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the justice department should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.

John Anderson
John Anderson

A tech enthusiast and UX designer with over a decade of experience in creating user-centric digital solutions.