Messages Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship

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

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can catch the plane we are heading to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".

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

The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.

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

Bannon was one of Trump's key aides in the run 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 making a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

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

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.

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

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.

Sarah Hart
Sarah Hart

A London-based writer passionate about British culture and contemporary lifestyle trends.