Messages Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Relationship

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

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

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".

These messages were published on this week together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

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

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

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 administration in August 2017.

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

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

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

Earlier 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, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the commitment of your follow through."

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

May was finally toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.

Dominique Castillo
Dominique Castillo

A digital strategist and writer passionate about exploring how technology shapes modern culture and everyday life.

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