Messages Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key strategists before stepping down from the administration in August 2017

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

The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".

These messages were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk 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 was one of 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 White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

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

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.

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

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

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

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

A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.

Jenna Russell
Jenna Russell

A passionate storyteller and former journalist who finds beauty in ordinary moments, dedicated to crafting narratives that resonate with authenticity.