Emails Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers before resigning from the White House in 2017

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

The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".

These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

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

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

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees 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 today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can uk. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

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

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

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

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

Some of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.

Dr. Sandy Odonnell
Dr. Sandy Odonnell

A seasoned gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in the iGaming industry, specializing in UK market trends and player safety.