Emails Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection

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

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

The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".

These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered 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 was one of Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

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

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

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

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

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

On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

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

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for the political party informed media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

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

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.

Joseph Arias
Joseph Arias

A seasoned journalist with over 15 years of experience covering UK politics and cultural trends, based in London.