Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship

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

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".

These messages were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.

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

Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, 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 materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

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

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

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

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

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

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".

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

A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.

Anna Turner
Anna Turner

A digital strategist with over a decade of experience in tech marketing and content creation across European markets.