Emails Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of the former president's closest advisers prior to stepping down from the White House in 2017

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".

These messages were released 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 Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford 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 served as Trump's key aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing 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 period, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

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

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

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

Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.

Rebecca Johnson
Rebecca Johnson

A tech writer passionate about AI and emerging technologies, sharing insights from years of industry experience.