Correspondence Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's top strategists prior to stepping down from the White House in 2017

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

The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".

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

The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping 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 newly released materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

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

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.

Jason Buckley
Jason Buckley

Passionate food blogger and home cook sharing her love for creating simple, delicious meals that bring people together.