Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's top advisers prior to stepping down from the administration in 2017

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".

These messages were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, 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, declined to comment on the inquiry.

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

Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

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

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.

Dr. Brooke Stokes
Dr. Brooke Stokes

A tech journalist with a decade of experience covering AI, cybersecurity, and emerging digital trends across Europe.