Emails Highlight 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 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 event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, told 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: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".

These messages were released on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations 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 advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

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

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".

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

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

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so others see the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

Theresa May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support 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 Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.

Tamara Salazar
Tamara Salazar

Elena is a technology strategist with over a decade of experience in IT consulting and digital transformation, passionate about helping businesses leverage tech for growth.