Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers prior to resigning from the White House in August 2017

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

The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can catch the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".

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

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the dates, events, and places referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.

'I'll make sure you're well looked after'

Bannon was one of Trump's closest aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", 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."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

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

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

Theresa May was finally toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. 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 initially charged.

Elaine Roy
Elaine Roy

A digital strategist with over a decade of experience in helping businesses leverage technology for growth and innovation.