Emails Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's closest strategists before stepping down from the White House in 2017

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

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".

These exchanges were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

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

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.

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

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

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly 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 "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The released 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 thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can uk. Best-- so others see the commitment of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A representative for Reform UK told media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

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

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.

Tracy Chan
Tracy Chan

A tech enthusiast and lifestyle writer with a passion for exploring how innovation shapes everyday experiences.