Emails Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of the former president's closest strategists before stepping down from the White House in August 2017

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

The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".

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

These messages were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's closest 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 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.

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

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. may soon…"

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

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

Theresa May was finally toppled in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

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

Lee Cook
Lee Cook

Liam Sterling is a tech journalist and gaming enthusiast with over a decade of experience covering industry trends and innovations.