Messages Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of the former president's top advisers before resigning from the White House in 2017

In November 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 numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".

These exchanges were published on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

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 resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable 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 are taken care of."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

On the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference 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: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

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

A representative for Reform UK told media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. 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.

Andrew Bailey
Andrew Bailey

A design technologist and innovation strategist with over a decade of experience in digital transformation and creative problem-solving.