Emails Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Connection

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

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".

These messages were released on this week together with over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

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

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

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

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

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

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

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

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

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

The Congress will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.

Joseph Cochran
Joseph Cochran

A London-based journalist with a passion for uncovering unique stories about British culture and modern life.

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