Correspondence Reveal the late financier and Steve Bannon Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's key strategists before resigning from the administration in 2017

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

The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".

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

The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.

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

Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

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

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

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

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "They are trying to move on. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

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

A representative for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

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

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.

Ashley Archer
Ashley Archer

Elara is a certified mixologist with over a decade of experience in craft cocktail creation and bar management.