Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's key advisers before resigning from the administration in August 2017

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".

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

The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.

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

Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".

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

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The published communications 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 Brexit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A spokesman for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

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

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected 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 first arrested.

David Simpson
David Simpson

A technology strategist and AI researcher with over a decade of experience in digital innovation and startup ecosystems.