Emails Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties

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

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can catch the plane we are heading to heathrow".

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

These messages were released on this week together with more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.

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

Bannon served as the president's closest aides in the run 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 making a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

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

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

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

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.

A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

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

Michele Long
Michele Long

A seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience covering UK politics and social trends, passionate about storytelling and community engagement.