Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship

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

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver 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 email: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the plane we are heading to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".

These exchanges were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.

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

Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers 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 producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".

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

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

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

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

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

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

Theresa May was finally removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering 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 release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.

Melanie Cox
Melanie Cox

A passionate storyteller and journalist who travels the world collecting inspiring narratives, with a background in psychology and community advocacy.

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