Messages Reveal the late financier and Steve Bannon Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's closest strategists prior to stepping down from the administration in August 2017

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

The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".

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

The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual 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 Union on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time 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 booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

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

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

Theresa May was finally toppled in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in late 2018.

A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.

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

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.

Ian Benson
Ian Benson

A Berlin-based tech journalist and lifestyle blogger with over a decade of experience covering digital innovation and urban living.