Emails Reveal the late financier and Steve Bannon Relationship

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

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

The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".

These messages were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford 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 key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

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

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.

On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted 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 British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. May soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

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

Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.

Elizabeth Harvey
Elizabeth Harvey

A seasoned casino analyst with over a decade of experience in game strategy and industry trends.