Messages Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's key strategists prior to stepping down from the White House in August 2017

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

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".

These messages were released on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by matching the dates, events, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.

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 the president's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show 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 documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

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

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

May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

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

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.

Megan Vance PhD
Megan Vance PhD

A tech strategist and AI consultant with over a decade of experience in digital innovation and business transformation.