Emails Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's key strategists before stepping down from the administration in August 2017

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".

These exchanges were released on this week together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.

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

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

Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We plan to publish the film, 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 at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time 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 responded "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "They are trying to move on. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

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

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

The US House of Representatives 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.

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.

Tom Macias
Tom Macias

Eleanor Vance is a journalist and cultural critic with over a decade of experience covering British media and societal trends.