🔗 Share this article

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can catch the plane we are heading to heathrow".

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

These exchanges were released on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by matching the dates, events, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, 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.

'I'll make sure you're well looked after'

Bannon served as Trump's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was finally toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for Reform UK told media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

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

Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.