Correspondence Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers prior to resigning from the White House in August 2017

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

The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".

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

These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

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

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's closest advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

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

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".

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

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

On the same day 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 seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

Theresa May was finally toppled in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

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

The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

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

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.

Tammy Harding
Tammy Harding

Elara Vance is a tech journalist and software developer with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and digital innovations.