Emails Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of the former president's top advisers before stepping down from the administration in 2017

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

The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".

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

The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet 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 delivered the talk at the Oxford 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 was one of the president's closest advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.

On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May soon…"

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

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

May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.

A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

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

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.

Alec Lee
Alec Lee

A food enthusiast and restaurant reviewer with a passion for exploring diverse culinary traditions and sharing authentic dining experiences.