Emails Reveal the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's key strategists before resigning from the administration in 2017

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

The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

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

These exchanges were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.

'I'll make sure you're well looked after'

Bannon was one of the president's closest advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

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

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

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

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

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

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.

A spokesman for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his estate.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.

Gwendolyn Allen
Gwendolyn Allen

A technology consultant with over 12 years of experience in IT infrastructure and digital transformation strategies.