Messages Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers prior to resigning from the administration in August 2017

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".

These messages were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

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

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 was one of the president's key aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

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

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

A spokesman for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.

Juan Wilson
Juan Wilson

Lena is a passionate gamer and tech journalist with over a decade of experience covering the gaming industry and reviewing new releases.