Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's closest strategists prior to resigning from the White House in 2017

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

The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".

These messages were published on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.

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

Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

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

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

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

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter 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 passed away in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.

Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.

Jeffrey Pena
Jeffrey Pena

Aria Vance is a seasoned poker strategist and writer, sharing insights from years of competitive play and coaching.