Messages Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's top strategists prior to stepping down from the White House in August 2017

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

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".

These messages were published 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 text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

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

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

On the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

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

A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

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

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

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.

Matthew Harrington
Matthew Harrington

A data scientist and business analyst with over 10 years of experience in transforming raw data into actionable strategies for global enterprises.