Messages Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's top strategists prior to resigning from the White House in 2017

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".

These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was finally toppled in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for the political party told media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 documents from his estate.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.

Vanessa Bryan
Vanessa Bryan

A former librarian turned literary critic who specializes in contemporary fiction and historical novels, with a passion for uncovering hidden gems.