By 2017, Jeffrey Epstein had become a social pariah, shunned by the elite circles in which he once thrived. Even Ghislaine Maxwell, his longtime associate, distanced herself from him, attempting to rebuild her image as a charity leader while avoiding public appearances with the convicted sex offender. As allegations regarding Epstein’s financial misdeeds and his interactions with underage girls proliferated, one prominent visitor maintained a connection with him—Steve Bannon. A controversial figure in media and politics, Bannon believed he could assist Epstein in rehabilitating his tarnished reputation, a notion that may have seemed ludicrous to many, given the severity of the allegations against Epstein.
Bannon’s motivation to aid Epstein appeared to stem from his own precarious standing at the time; having recently fallen out of favor with President Trump, Bannon found himself without financial backing after criticizing the Trump family in a published work. His partnership with Epstein offered a financial lifeline, as he reportedly acquired access to substantial resources. Over a series of meetings, Bannon collected around 15 hours of footage of Epstein, ostensibly to prepare him for an upcoming television interview on a major network like “60 Minutes” in 2018.
Epstein’s brother Mark later recalled these extensive recordings during a recent NBC interview, revealing Bannon’s intentions to help Epstein restore his reputation. While some footage was confirmed to be focused on Epstein’s attempts at image rehabilitation, many questions lingered regarding the status and potential release of these tapes following Epstein’s abrupt death in 2019. His passing occurred while he awaited trial for charges related to sex trafficking, raising further speculation about Bannon’s motivations and plans to exploit the footage. Bannon had previously hinted at transforming the material into a documentary, further stoking public curiosity about the controversial figure.
Within this context, Bannon has publicly shared his belief that Epstein was merely a product of the elite system, claiming much of what has been disseminated about him is misleading. His comments during a February appearance suggested that he possessed shocking insights into Epstein’s ascent from obscurity to the heights of global influence, including claims about Epstein’s significant funding of scientific ventures related to Transhumanism. Bannon’s claims only increased the intrigue surrounding Epstein, particularly regarding why he has not yet released any substantial footage to the public despite previously promoting it as a potential documentary.
Only one snippet of the captured footage has emerged, showing Epstein making dubious claims about his support for the Time’s Up movement, which advocates against sexual harassment. In this clip, he awkwardly asserts his belief that “the future is for the way women think.” Bannon, taking on the role of an aggressive interviewer, challenges Epstein’s narrative, implying that such remarks were insincere given his past actions. This interplay between Bannon’s probing questions and Epstein’s attempts at self-justification paints a complex picture of two men who, while vastly different in their public personas, found common ground in their professional ambitions.
Despite the limited insights into their relationship, questions have persisted regarding Bannon’s motives for engaging with Epstein in both New York and Paris, particularly post-episcopal conviction for crimes against minors in Florida. Critics, including prominent political strategists like Roger Stone, have voiced suspicions over Bannon’s actions. These concerns about the appropriateness of Bannon’s connection with Epstein fundamentally raise ethical considerations regarding accountability and the potential influence of powerful individuals within critical societal issues, including the ongoing discussions around sexual exploitation and abuse within elite circles.
