🔗 Share this article

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

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".

These messages were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

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 matching the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated 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 inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.

On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

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

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

Theresa May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for the political party told media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its investigation 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 estate.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.