Emails Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's top strategists prior to resigning from the White House in August 2017

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious 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: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".

These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets managed to establish his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford 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 the president's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a aide.

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

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

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. May soon…"

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

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

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

A representative for the political party informed media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

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

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.

Justin Taylor
Justin Taylor

A film enthusiast and critic with over a decade of experience in reviewing movies and curating streaming content.