Messages Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection

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

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

The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down 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 layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".

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

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets managed to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

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

On the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "They are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."

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

Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.

A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The Congress will decide soon on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.

Monica Elliott
Monica Elliott

A tech journalist and digital strategist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and their impact on society.