Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's key strategists before resigning from the White House in 2017

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".

These exchanges were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk 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 served as the president's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

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

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.

William Martinez
William Martinez

A tech strategist passionate about AI and digital trends, with over a decade of industry experience.