Emails Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of the former president's closest advisers prior to stepping down from the administration in August 2017

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".

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

These exchanges were released on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

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

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

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

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

Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

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

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

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should release 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 this week after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.

Lindsay Robbins
Lindsay Robbins

A tech enthusiast and productivity coach with over a decade of experience in digital optimization and workflow management.