Messages Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship

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

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".

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

The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.

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

Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.

On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into 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 British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

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

A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.

Jennifer Allison
Jennifer Allison

Elara is a seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience covering global affairs and digital trends, known for her sharp insights.