Messages Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's closest strategists prior to stepping down from the administration in August 2017

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".

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

The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". 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 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 closest advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

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

A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

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

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

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

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

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

Theresa May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.

Laurie Young
Laurie Young

Mira Chen is a technology analyst and writer with over a decade of experience covering AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.