Messages Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's top strategists prior to stepping down from the administration in 2017

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

The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".

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

The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets managed to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's key aides in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before 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 release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".

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

Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

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

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The Congress will decide 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 relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.

Robert Johns
Robert Johns

A tech journalist and digital culture writer with a background in software development and media analysis.