Messages Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Connection

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's key advisers 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 speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".

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

The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused 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 key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

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

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

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

Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".

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

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

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

On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."

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

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

Theresa May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.

A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.

Jacob Morris
Jacob Morris

A Milan-based historian and trekking enthusiast with over a decade of experience guiding tours through Italy's architectural marvels.