Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of the former president's closest strategists prior to stepping down from the White House in 2017

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".

These messages were released on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A spokesman for the political party told media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.

Katherine Murphy DDS
Katherine Murphy DDS

A tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for exploring cutting-edge innovations and sharing practical advice for digital life.