Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers before stepping down from the White House in 2017

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited 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 message: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".

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

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

The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.

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

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

Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers 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 producing a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."

But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

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

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

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are trying 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-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

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

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.

Danielle Smith
Danielle Smith

Elara Vance is an art historian and curator with over a decade of experience in European contemporary art scenes.