Messages Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers prior to stepping down from the administration in 2017

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

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

These messages were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". 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 the president's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

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

Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The released messages 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 Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

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

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A spokesman for the political party told media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

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

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

A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.

Benjamin Miles
Benjamin Miles

Aria Vance is a digital marketing strategist with over a decade of experience in SEO and content marketing, passionate about helping brands thrive online.