Messages Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Connection

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's top advisers before stepping down from the administration in August 2017

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

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can catch the plane we are heading to heathrow".

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

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

The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by matching the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part 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 wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile 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 said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

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

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are attempting to move on. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

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

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

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.

Alice Knight
Alice Knight

A seasoned iOS developer passionate about sharing Swift tips and guiding developers through complex coding challenges.