Correspondence Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties

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

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".

These messages were released on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.

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

Bannon was one of Trump's closest aides in the run up to the presidential 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 before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a aide.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

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

On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. May soon…"

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

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

Theresa May was finally removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.

A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department 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 reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.

Michael Johnson
Michael Johnson

Zkušený novinář se specializací na politickou žurnalistiku a fact-checking, přináší hluboké analýzy a přesné reportáže.