Emails Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers prior to stepping down from the administration in 2017

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.

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

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent helper".

These messages were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by matching the dates, events, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.

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

Bannon was one of the president's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

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

On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others see the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.

Robert Thompson
Robert Thompson

A tech journalist and business analyst with over a decade of experience covering digital transformation and startup ecosystems.