Correspondence Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties

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

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted 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 catch the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".

These exchanges were published on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

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 participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.

'I'll make sure you're well looked after'

Bannon was one of Trump's key aides in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

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

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to move on. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The Congress will decide soon on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.

Shelly Johnson
Shelly Johnson

A tech strategist with over a decade of experience in digital transformation and startup consulting across Europe.