Messages Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of the former president's closest strategists before stepping down from the administration in August 2017

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

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".

These messages were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

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

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

Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the newly released documents suggest 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 exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".

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

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

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

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

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

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

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

Theresa May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

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

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.

Some of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.

Monique Adams
Monique Adams

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in the casino industry, specializing in slot machine mechanics and player psychology.