Correspondence Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties

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

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

The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".

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

These exchanges were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

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

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

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

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "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 responded "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "They are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".

Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.

Angela Carter
Angela Carter

A seasoned travel writer and photographer with over a decade of experience exploring remote destinations and sharing cultural narratives.