Messages Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's closest strategists before resigning from the administration in 2017

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

The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".

These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets managed to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.

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

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

Bannon served as the president's closest advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

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

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and 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 move on. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

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

A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

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

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.

Veronica Alexander
Veronica Alexander

Automotive journalist with over a decade of experience, specializing in vehicle testing and consumer guides.