Emails Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship

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

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

The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can catch the plane we are heading to heathrow".

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

These exchanges were published on this week together with 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 iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets managed to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.

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

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

Bannon served as the president's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We're going to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

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

A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.

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

Marvin Young
Marvin Young

A seasoned tech journalist with over a decade of experience covering UK innovation and digital trends.