Emails Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's top strategists prior to stepping down from the White House in August 2017

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

The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".

These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.

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

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

Bannon served as the president's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

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

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

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

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in late 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 that encounter took place.

The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

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

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.

Cynthia Holmes
Cynthia Holmes

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