Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's top strategists prior to stepping down from the administration in August 2017

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

The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".

These exchanges were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to confirm his involvement by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

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

He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

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 most highly paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

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

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

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

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can uk. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.

A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

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

Some of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.

Heather Brown
Heather Brown

A writer and mindfulness coach passionate about exploring life's simple joys and sharing personal growth insights.