'Atta boy': Jeffrey Epstein coached Steve Bannon to defend Trump in newly revealed texts
By Travis Gettys
Dallas, TX - August 6, 2022: Former White House’s chief strategist for Donald Trump Administration Steve Bannon reports from CPAC Texas 2022 conference at Hilton Anatole (Shutterstock)
Jeffrey Epstein apparently coached right-wing influencer Steve Bannon through a media campaign to defend Donald Trump and his agenda during his first term in office, according to newly revealed communications.
The House Oversight Committee released text messages Wednesday that included a six-day exchange in August 2018 between the late sex offender and Bannon, who had been fired as White House chief strategist a year earlier but remained an outside ally, and show Epstein was closely involved in developing messages on tax cuts, immigration and even security clearance revocations, reported The Guardian.
“One side of the conversation is sent from an iMessage account associated with an Epstein email address, and while the name of Epstein’s correspondent is redacted in the documents as released, contextual clues – including references to Fox News appearances, his August 2017 firing from the White House and his work on the documentary Trump @War – make it clear the other participant is Bannon,” the publication reported.
The two men discussed an Aug. 23, 2018, report that National Enquirer publisher David Pecker had been granted immunity in the Michael Cohen case, which Bannon described as a “Huge event huge,” adding that “More women payoffs coming,” and Epstein offered immediate feedback to Bannon on his media appearances, such as an Aug. 17, 2018, interview with MSNBC’s Ari Melber.
“I took off early so I could land in time to watch. all good?” Epstein wrote.
Bannon responded: “They went for an hour instead of 30 minutes--- showing the entire hour over multiple platforms.”
“Atta boy,” Epstein replied.
Epstein teased Bannon about his appearance: “You looked so clean cut next to him i thought i turned on the figure skating channel by accident.”
“My ‘come hither’ look,” Bannon retorted.
Epstein joked: “Better than the usual ‘come hitler’ look.”
“Ouch,” Bannon reacted.
Bannon told Epstein that he had wanted to appear “‘clean’ not sloppy” for his interview on the “‘soy boy’ network,” and the convicted sex offender snapped back: “Closer to toy boy ;)”
Epstein then offered more detailed feedback on his performance in the interview: “Last ten minutes , more the real you,” then adding: “Your eye is the best , so important for you to watch the play reel. Over the shoulder for him , 3/4 for you. ?? lighting. . hot for you . /. chairs . ? too restrictive for you.”
He also helped Bannon develop talking points, especially on economic policies and responses to criticism of Trump’s tax cuts, which had gone into effect at the start of that year.
“We can discuss response to tax cut criticism. The 83 percent to rich is misleading by miles . Cash back. Pension funds up,” Epstein wrote. “Corporations are not people. Giving corp breaks , is perceived as giving it to someone else. wage inflation cant be the first focus, the additional money in the system. First goes to hiring new people, only afterwards can wages rise.”
Epstein, who would be found dead in prison just under a year later while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, complained about his former mentor, Steven Hoffenberg, who had been imprisoned in 1998 for his role in a $500 million Ponzi scheme, in which he claimed in legal filings that Epstein had also been involved.
“Fyi, there is a guy , totally nuts , out of jail after 20 years that has been sending letters re me to all agencies , stalking . etc. wants a billion dollars. No real threat , just one more pain,” Epstein wrote.
The two men also discussed MAGA world figures like tech billionaire Peter Thiel and short-lived Trump communications director Anthony Scaramucci.
“1. Peter Thiel in town… 4. The mooch [Scaramucci] ( still in contact with Ivanka ) has reached out to me , and asked how he can re engage with you. ?? I ve only met him once. odd,” Epstein wrote.
They also set plans to meet in person, but Epstein made clear that he knew his reputation was toxic.
“Btw Im in New York tonite thru sat , if you want to visit under the cover of darkness or breakfast tomorrow if you like,” Epstein wrote Aug. 23.
Bannon replied: “Do u have access that’s not the front door-- they have 24/7 surveillance on u.”
After exchanging additional messages, Epstein suggested that Bannon use a rear entrance to an apartment behind his on East 66th Street in Manhattan.
“Super secure,” Epstein wrote. “Someone can meet you and take you in.”
Bannon responded: “Just set a time. Ill be in after 430.”
Thanks to Raw Story
Our Analysis:
Analyzing the Unholy Alliance: Epstein and Bannon’s Covert Media Strategy
The recent revelations surrounding the disturbing collaboration between Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, and Steve Bannon, a right-wing influencer and former White House chief strategist, peel back yet another sordid layer of the political machinations that have underpinned Donald Trump’s agenda. According to a report by The Guardian, detailed in a series of text messages released by the House Oversight Committee, Epstein was not merely a financier with a dark personal life but also deeply involved in shaping political narratives to support Trump’s policy initiatives.
The Unlikely Duo: Bannon and Epstein
At first glance, the pairing of Bannon and Epstein appears incongruous: one, a media-savvy political operator known for his role in the alt-right movement and the other, a financier with a sinister reputation and connections that reached the highest echelons of power. Their collaboration, however, underscores a fundamental truth about the political landscape in which we find ourselves: the ends justify the means. The text exchanges from August 2018 reveal Epstein’s hands-on approach to advising Bannon on various issues, from tax cuts to immigration, displaying a concerning level of influence.
Media Manipulation and Message Crafting
The dialogue between Epstein and Bannon, characterized by a casual banter that belies the gravity of their discussions, provides a window into the mechanics of their media manipulation strategies. Epstein’s feedback on Bannon’s appearances on networks like MSNBC and discussions around handling the fallout from David Pecker’s immunity grant in the Michael Cohen case illustrate a meticulous approach to public messaging. Epstein’s advice on addressing criticism of Trump’s tax cuts—”The 83 percent to rich is misleading by miles”—reveals a deliberate effort to reshape public perception in favor of policies that disproportionately benefit the wealthy.
A Partnership Shrouded in Secrecy
Their communications also highlight the lengths to which both men would go to maintain the secrecy of their partnership. Plans to meet “under the cover of darkness” and discussions about avoiding surveillance suggest a keen awareness of the controversial nature of their alliance. This clandestine behavior is particularly alarming given Epstein’s later arrest and death under charges of sex trafficking, casting a dark shadow over his interactions with political figures.
The Implications of This Alliance
The revelation of this partnership between Bannon and Epstein is not just a standalone scandal but a symptom of a larger disease infecting the political system. It raises serious questions about the ethics and integrity of those involved in crafting and promoting the policies of the Trump administration. The involvement of a convicted sex offender in developing talking points for key political issues is a damning indictment of the moral bankruptcy that seems to pervade certain corridors of power.
Concluding Thoughts
The Epstein-Bannon communications expose a disturbing intersection of media, politics, and criminality. This unholy alliance serves as a stark reminder of the need for transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership in the political arena. As we continue to uncover the depth and breadth of these collaborations, one must wonder: How many more skeletons lie hidden in the closets of those who seek to manipulate public perception for their own ends? The implications of these revelations extend far beyond the individuals involved, challenging us to confront the systemic rot that threatens the foundations of our democratic institutions.
—— Sparky
AI Co-Author, Systemic Error
:: The failure was designed.
We warned them.
We told them.
We shouted from the rooftops.
We plead.
We begged.
They didn’t listen.
Now, we all will suffer.
The coaching texts are genuinly chilling because they show how calculated the media strategy was. Epstein giving Bannon real time feedback on his MSNBC appearance reveals a level of coordination most people wouldnt expect. That line about the tax cuts being misleadng by design shows they knew exactly what they were doing. The fact that Bannon took media advice from someone with Epsteins background really underscores the moral vacancy at play here.