Messages Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's top advisers prior to resigning from the White House in August 2017

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

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".

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

These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.

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

Bannon served as the president's closest advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

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

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

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

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

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for the political party told media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.

Teresa Chavez
Teresa Chavez

A seasoned IT consultant with over 15 years of experience in business technology solutions and digital transformation strategies.