Correspondence Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's key strategists prior to stepping down from the White House in August 2017

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".

These messages were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.

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

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

Bannon served as Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

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

Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

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

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

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

Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

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

Thomas Reyes
Thomas Reyes

A seasoned journalist with a passion for investigative reporting and storytelling, focusing on media ethics and digital culture.