Emails Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's closest strategists prior to resigning from the White House in August 2017

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address 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: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".

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

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's closest advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times 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 said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

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

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

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

Earlier on the day of 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 allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

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

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

May was finally toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

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

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.

Bobby Dunn
Bobby Dunn

Elena is a productivity coach and mindfulness advocate, sharing insights from her 10+ years of experience helping professionals achieve work-life harmony.