Correspondence Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of the former president's key strategists before stepping down from the administration in 2017

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

The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".

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

These exchanges were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

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

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

On the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can uk. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The Congress will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.

Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith

Periodista especializada en tecnología y emprendimiento, con más de 10 años de experiencia cubriendo el ecosistema digital en América Latina.