Correspondence Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties

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

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".

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

These messages were released on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

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

On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

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

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

Theresa May was finally toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.

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

The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

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

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.

Jeffrey Barber DDS
Jeffrey Barber DDS

A digital strategist and content creator passionate about blending technology with human-centered design to drive impactful solutions.