Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's top strategists prior to resigning from the White House in 2017

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".

These exchanges 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 contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.

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

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

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

Bannon served as the president's key aides in the run 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 admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

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

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

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

On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."

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

Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the justice department should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.

Nicole Ramirez
Nicole Ramirez

Elara Vance is an astrophysicist and science writer with a passion for making space exploration accessible to everyone.