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Epstein Emails Show Personal Assistance to Steve Bannon During UK Visit
Newly released documents from Jeffrey Epstein's estate reveal the disgraced financier acted as a personal assistant to Steve Bannon during the former Trump strategist's 2018 trip to the UK, arranging private flights and offering logistical support amid protests.
The exchange, part of over 20,000 pages of records published by the US House Oversight Committee, includes emails between Bannon and Epstein during Bannon's November 2018 visit to speak at the Oxford Union. Protests delayed Bannon's schedule, prompting Epstein to arrange a last-minute Gulf Air flight via Bahrain, to which Bannon replied, "U r an amazing assistant."
The BBC confirmed Bannon's identity by cross-referencing the redacted messages with public records, including his attendance at the News Xchange conference in Edinburgh (November 14) and the Oxford Union speech two days later. Epstein's messages also referenced chartering a plane from Scotland and praised Bannon's "Oxford speech."
Beyond a Biographer: Epstein's Role in Bannon's Travel and Politics
While Bannon has publicly stated he was working on a documentary about Epstein-claiming to possess 15 hours of footage-the newly released messages suggest a closer, more transactional relationship. Days before the flight arrangement, Epstein joked, "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history," to which Bannon responded, "U r pretty good asst." Epstein quipped back, "Massages. Not Included."
In another exchange, Epstein assured Bannon he would be "well looked after" during a trip to Abu Dhabi, referred to as "AD" in the messages. The documents also capture the two discussing UK politics hours before Bannon's Oxford speech. Bannon texted Epstein about meetings with Brexit figures Nigel Farage, Boris Johnson, and Jacob Rees-Mogg, adding, "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow..."-an apparent reference to then-Prime Minister Theresa May's precarious position. Epstein advised Bannon to extend his UK stay to "show commitment," while Bannon later dismissed May's survival chances, criticizing Brexit leaders for lacking resolve.
"I don't see how [May survives] BUT the guys over here have no balls... Boris; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis-somebody has to step up."
Steve Bannon, in a 2018 message to Jeffrey Epstein
May resigned in May 2019 after surviving two no-confidence votes in December 2018. A Reform UK spokesman denied any meeting between Farage, Bannon, Johnson, and Rees-Mogg, telling the BBC, "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees-Mogg, and Boris Johnson."
Broader Scrutiny of Epstein's Connections
The documents' release has reignited scrutiny of Epstein's relationships with influential figures, including Donald Trump. While Trump has denied wrongdoing and claimed his friendship with Epstein ended in the early 2000s-two years before Epstein's first arrest-the files contain references to the former president. The US House of Representatives is set to vote next week on whether to compel the Department of Justice to release all files related to its Epstein investigation.
Bannon, who served as Trump's chief strategist during the 2016 campaign and early presidency before resigning in August 2017, has not responded to requests for comment. He previously announced plans to release a five-part documentary series on Epstein in early 2026, stating in a podcast earlier this year, "We're going to release the film... next year."
Key Dates and Context
- November 14, 2018: Bannon attends News Xchange conference in Edinburgh.
- November 16, 2018: Protests disrupt Bannon's Oxford Union speech; Epstein arranges emergency flight.
- December 2018: Theresa May survives two no-confidence votes.
- May 2019: May resigns as UK prime minister.
- 2019: Epstein dies in prison while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
- 2025: US House considers releasing DOJ's full Epstein investigation files.
