Correspondence Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of the former president's top strategists before resigning from the administration in August 2017

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

The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent helper".

These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

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

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

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

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.

On the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others see the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

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

A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.

Some of those referenced the former president, 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 early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.

Aaron Roberts
Aaron Roberts

A seasoned journalist and political analyst based in London, focusing on UK-European relations and social policy trends.