Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of the former president's closest advisers before stepping down from the administration in August 2017

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".

These messages were released on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.

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

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

Bannon served as the president'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 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the series, 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 documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "They are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow-up."

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

May was finally removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.

The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.

Sarah Watson
Sarah Watson

A certified mindfulness coach with over a decade of experience, passionate about helping others find inner peace through simple daily practices.