Emails Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's top strategists prior to resigning from the administration in 2017

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly 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, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".

These messages were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.

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

Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a aide.

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".

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

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

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

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

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

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

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

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.

Dominique Allen
Dominique Allen

A dedicated nurse educator with over 15 years of experience in clinical practice and academic instruction, passionate about mentoring future healthcare professionals.