Emails Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's key advisers before stepping down from the White House in 2017

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".

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

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his identity by matching the dates, events, and locations referenced.

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

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 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 live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

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

Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.

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, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can uk. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

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

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

The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.

Debra Lee
Debra Lee

A digital artist and tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in creative design and interactive media.