Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's closest strategists prior to resigning from the administration in 2017

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

The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".

These messages were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.

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

Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, 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 soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

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

A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.

The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

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

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.

Barbara Bennett
Barbara Bennett

Elara is a passionate artisan and curator who loves discovering and sharing unique handmade treasures from across the UK.