Emails Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship

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

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".

These exchanges were published on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk 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 served as Trump's key aides in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

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

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

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

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

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

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

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

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

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.

Michael Obrien
Michael Obrien

A data scientist and writer passionate about demystifying AI for practical applications.