Correspondence Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers prior to resigning from the White House in 2017

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

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".

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

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.

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

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people 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 two votes of lack of support in late 2018.

A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.

Joseph Beasley
Joseph Beasley

A UK-based travel writer and cultural commentator with over a decade of experience exploring Britain's hidden gems.