Correspondence Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's key strategists before stepping down 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 prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".

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

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union 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 served as the president's key aides 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 producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

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

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

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

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.

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

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his estate.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.

Amanda Evans
Amanda Evans

A digital strategist and writer passionate about innovation and storytelling in the modern age.