Correspondence Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection

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

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".

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

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

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

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

Bannon was one of Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

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

Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

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

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

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

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

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".

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

A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

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

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.

Amy Thomas
Amy Thomas

Maya Sterling is a seasoned gaming journalist with over a decade of experience covering casino trends and player strategies.