Messages Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship

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

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

The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".

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

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.

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

Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion 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 advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was finally toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for the political party told media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.

A portion of those referenced the former president, 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, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.

Heather Patterson
Heather Patterson

Elara is a passionate storyteller with a background in creative writing, known for crafting immersive tales that resonate with diverse audiences.