Emails Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's top strategists before stepping down from the White House in 2017

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

The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".

These exchanges were published on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets managed to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.

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

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

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

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

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

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

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

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

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

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.

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

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.

Matthew Lynn
Matthew Lynn

Urban planner and writer passionate about sustainable city design and community-focused development projects.