Correspondence Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's top advisers prior to stepping down from the administration in 2017

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

The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".

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

These messages were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as 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 administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. May soon…"

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

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was finally removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and 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 make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

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

Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.

Cynthia Patel
Cynthia Patel

A passionate writer and mother sharing her experiences and advice on family life in Canada.

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