Correspondence Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's top advisers prior to stepping down from the administration in August 2017

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent helper".

These exchanges were released on this week together with over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations 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 presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "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 replied "Therapies. Not Included".

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

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

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

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

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

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

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.

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

The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.

Gina Barry
Gina Barry

A tech journalist with over a decade of experience covering hardware innovations and software trends, passionate about making complex tech accessible.