Emails Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's key advisers before resigning from the administration in August 2017

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

The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".

These messages were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's key aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, 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 documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

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

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are attempting to move on. May soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

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

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

Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.

Michael Cook
Michael Cook

A drone technology enthusiast and certified pilot with over a decade of experience in aerial innovation and commercial applications.