Messages Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Connection

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as the former president's key strategists prior to resigning from the White House in August 2017

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

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".

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

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

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

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

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

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

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

On the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".

May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.

A representative for the political party told media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.

The Congress will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

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

A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.

Lauren Blair
Lauren Blair

Software engineer and tech writer passionate about open-source projects and innovative coding solutions.

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