What is the role of steve bannon in the Epstein circle?

 

 What is the role of steve bannon in the Epstein circle?

Based on documents released between 2025 and early 2026, Steve Bannon maintained an active, friendly relationship with Jeffrey Epstein in 2018 and 2019, acting as a strategist to rehabilitate Epstein's reputation while also receiving political and logistical assistance from him. Bannon, a former chief strategist for Donald Trump, engaged in hundreds of text and email exchanges with the convicted sex offender, discussing politics, media strategy, and a planned documentary, often with an easy, casual familiarity.

 

Here are the specific roles Bannon played in the Epstein circle:

Attempted Reputation Rehabilitation: Bannon was a key player in a project to "rehabilitate" or "salvage" Epstein’s image following his 2008 conviction and prior to his 2019 arrest, intending to create a documentary to counter critical narratives.

Media Coaching: Bannon provided media training and advice to Epstein, coaching him on how to present himself as "friendly" and "sympathetic" rather than "creepy" for interviews.

Documentary Producer: Bannon filmed approximately 15 hours of interviews with Epstein in 2019 at his New York townhouse, intended for a project tentatively titled “The Monsters: Epstein's Life Among the Global Elite”.

Strategic & Political Partner: Epstein was involved in Bannon's efforts to build a European right-wing alliance, with Epstein offering strategic advice on Bannon's media appearances, messaging, and foreign political figures. In one exchange, Epstein described himself as Bannon's "cornerman," encouraging him during the "long game" of politics.

Logistical Support: The correspondence indicates that Epstein acted as a "travel agent" of sorts for Bannon, assisting with travel arrangements and even offering his private plane for transportation.

 

Key Details from the Documents:

Planning a Documentary on the Island: Shortly before his 2019 arrest, Bannon and Epstein planned to film on Epstein's private Caribbean island, Little St. James.

"Cornerman" and "Assistant": In 2018–2019, Epstein regularly provided feedback on Bannon’s media appearances. Bannon joked that Epstein was his "assistant," to which Epstein replied, "Massages. Not Included".

Timing: The communications and planning continued right up to the moment Epstein was taken into federal custody in July 2019.

While the documents reveal extensive contact, Bannon has not been accused of any crimes in relation to these dealings, although some critics and public figures have called for investigation into his ties with Epstein.