Correspondence Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers before stepping down from the administration in 2017

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

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".

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

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

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

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act 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 booking agent in the world ".

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

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

On the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "They are trying to move on. may soonโ€ฆ"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A representative for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

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

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.

Amanda Barnes
Amanda Barnes

Rashid Al-Mansoori is a seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience covering Middle Eastern affairs and economic developments.