Messages Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties

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

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".

These messages were published on this week together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

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

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

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. may soon…"

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

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for Reform UK told media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The Congress 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 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.

A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.

Adam Schwartz
Adam Schwartz

A passionate urban cyclist and writer sharing city biking experiences and practical advice for riders of all levels.

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