In November 2018, Steve Bannon, former chief strategist for Donald Trump, found himself embroiled in protests during a speaking event at the Oxford Union. During this tumultuous time, he communicated with Jeffrey Epstein via email, expressing concerns over being delayed and potentially missing his flight. Epstein promptly suggested an alternative flight, to which Bannon responded with gratitude, calling Epstein an amazing assistant. These messages formed part of over 20,000 pages of documents released from Epstein's estate, shedding light on their surprising rapport.


Following the release, the BBC identified Bannon's involvement in some redacted messages by correlating events and dates. One notable instance involved Epstein offering to charter a plane for Bannon and commenting on his notable speech at the Oxford Union, delivering messages that transcended a typical biographer-subject relationship. Bannon thanked Epstein for his assistance, which led Epstein to quip about being the most highly paid travel agent in history and hinted at providing more than just logistical support.


While Bannon maintains he did no wrong, the content of their messages raises eyebrows about the nature of their association. Previously, Bannon spoke of creating a documentary on Epstein, suggesting an investment in his narrative that could have deeper undertones. Additionally, their emails unveil connections to UK politics, with discussions about Brexit and notable figures like Boris Johnson, adding yet another layer to their already complex interactions.


In light of this renewed focus on Epstein's relationships with influential individuals, the upcoming legislative moves by the House of Representatives to vote on the release of further investigation files add urgency to understanding the breadth of Epstein's influence.