Emails Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of the former president's top strategists prior to resigning from the administration in 2017

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".

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

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places referenced.

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

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.

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

Bannon served as Trump's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.

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

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

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

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

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.

The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

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

Chad Barron
Chad Barron

A seasoned political analyst with a passion for British governance and public policy insights.