🔗 Share this article

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

The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".

These exchanges were published on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a aide.

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

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

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

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

On the day of his address 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 the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others see the commitment of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A spokesman for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.