Emails Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers prior to stepping down from the administration in 2017

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.

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

Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".

These messages were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the dates, events, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.

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

Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

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

On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and 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 files concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his estate.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected 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 prior to Epstein was initially charged.

Meghan Lee
Meghan Lee

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online slots and casino strategy development.