Correspondence Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers before resigning 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 interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".

These messages were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, 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 documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

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

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

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

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

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

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

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

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

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

A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.

Margaret Hunt
Margaret Hunt

An experienced educator and curriculum developer passionate about innovative teaching methods and student success.