Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's top advisers before resigning from the White House in 2017

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".

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

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

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

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.

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

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

The Congress will vote 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 2019.

Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.

James Patterson
James Patterson

A technology strategist and creative writer passionate about exploring how innovation shapes our daily lives and future possibilities.