Correspondence Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's closest strategists prior to resigning from the administration in 2017

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can catch the plane we are heading 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 exchanges were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave 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 key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

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

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

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

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.

Donald Daugherty
Donald Daugherty

Lena is a tech journalist with a passion for exploring how emerging technologies shape our daily lives and digital culture.