Emails Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection

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

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

The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

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

These messages were released on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan 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 went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day 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 period, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

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

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

May was finally removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader 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 initially charged.

Leonard Key
Leonard Key

Maya Chen is a seasoned journalist and analyst with over a decade of experience covering global affairs and emerging technologies.