Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of the former president's top strategists prior to resigning from the administration in 2017

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk 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 layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".

These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by matching the dates, events, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.

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 aides in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

A few days 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 travel agent in history ".

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

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

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

On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.

Brittney Bernard
Brittney Bernard

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in casino technology and regulatory affairs.