Emails Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of the former president's key strategists prior to stepping down from the White House in August 2017

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

The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".

These messages were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

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

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

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

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the conversation 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 thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "They are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

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

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

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.

Lisa Francis
Lisa Francis

A technology journalist and business analyst with over a decade of experience covering digital transformation and startup ecosystems across Europe.