Messages Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's top strategists prior to stepping down from the White House in 2017

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

The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".

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

The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

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

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. may soon…"

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

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

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

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

The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.

Thomas Thompson
Thomas Thompson

A seasoned business strategist and tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in global markets, sharing practical advice and forward-thinking perspectives.