Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers prior to stepping down from the administration in 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 demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".

These messages were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.

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

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

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

Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

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

On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are trying to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.

A representative for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

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

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.

Rebecca Romero
Rebecca Romero

Elara is a seasoned gaming analyst with a passion for slot mechanics and player strategies, offering fresh perspectives on the UK casino scene.