Messages Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of the former president's closest advisers before resigning from the White House in 2017

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

The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

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

These messages were released on Wednesday alongside more than 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 name is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.

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

Bannon was one of the president's closest advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.

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

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

On the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. May soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can uk. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.

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

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

Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader 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.

Denise Mahoney
Denise Mahoney

A tech enthusiast and writer passionate about innovation and self-improvement, sharing insights from years of experience.