By In 2025, Steve Bannon repeatedly advocated for the full public release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, portraying it as a necessary step to expose “deep state” corruption and elite cover-ups. He called for a special prosecutor or independent review in interviews and public statements, framing the documents as a tool to unlock broader institutional accountability—while appearing, in hindsight, to function almost as a double agent: projecting unwavering public loyalty to Trump even as private texts later revealed a more complicated dynamic, including exchanges that mocked Trump.
The massive disclosures Steve Bannon promoted, backfired, spotlighting his own deep ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The U.S. Department of Justice’s January 30, 2026 release—under the Epstein Files Transparency Act signed by President Trump on November 19, 2025—included nearly 3.5 million pages of records, with hundreds of 2018–2019 texts/emails between Bannon and Epstein on politics, travel, and media, plus a video interview Bannon conducted with him.
These revelations starkly contrast Bannon’s public calls for transparency with his compromising relationship to one of history’s most notorious convicted sex offenders. These ties go far beyond casual acquaintance—the documents portray a deep, ongoing partnership during Trump’s first term, with Bannon providing advice on image rehabilitation and Epstein facilitating introductions and logistical support as Bannon advanced his nationalist agenda.
In one chilling exchange captured on video, Bannon questioned Epstein about his sex offender classification in a mock-serious tone: “What are you, class three sexual predator?” Epstein replied that he was “tier one,” clarifying that tier one was “the lowest” level (not the highest), to which Bannon accepted the correction and continued the conversation without strong condemnation. This moment underscored their casual familiarity and the lack of serious pushback from Bannon.
Private text exchanges from the Epstein files reveal a sharply critical view of Trump that contrasts with Bannon’s public image as one of his most staunch defenders. In one exchange, Epstein joked that Donald Trump Jr. had called his father a “regifter,” but suggested “re grifter” would be more accurate, prompting Bannon to reply “Brilliant.”
Other messages show Bannon sarcastically referring to Trump as “out of gas” in reference to an Axios report on his schedule.
In a December 30, 2018 – January 1, 2019 text, Bannon agreed Trump was “beyond borderline” unfit for office and suggested invoking the 25th Amendment to remove him.
The files show he conducted over 15 hours of interviews with Epstein, aiming to rehabilitate the financier’s image from convicted sex offender to philanthropist. In one text chain from April 5, 2019, Bannon writes: “We need to work around your 38—first we need to push back on the lies; then crush the pedo/trafficking narrative; then rebuild your image as a philanthropist.” Epstein defends his actions by claiming girls lied about their ages, and Bannon engages without pushback, pushing for “face to face” meetings to advance their plans.