Bannon Advised Epstein on Handling Abuse Allegations, Documents Show

The former Trump aide helped the disgraced financier strategize a defense as his legal troubles mounted in 2019.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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In the months before Jeffrey Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges in July 2019, Steve Bannon, a former top aide to President Donald Trump, advised Epstein on how to handle resurrected allegations that he was a serial pedophile. Bannon recommended lawyers for Epstein, scheduled "media training" sessions, and helped him strategize a defense as his legal troubles mounted. The newly released Justice Department documents reveal the extent of Bannon's efforts to assist Epstein, even as many of Epstein's friends were abandoning him.

Why it matters

This case highlights the close relationship between Bannon, a prominent figure in the MAGA movement, and the disgraced financier Epstein, who was accused of sexually abusing underage girls. It raises questions about Bannon's judgment and ethics in aligning himself with Epstein, even as the latter faced renewed scrutiny over his past crimes.

The details

The documents show that after Bannon and Epstein met in late 2017, Bannon promised to help Epstein rehabilitate his reputation. As Epstein's legal troubles mounted in 2019, Bannon helped him strategize a defense, recommending lawyers and scheduling "media training" sessions. Bannon also introduced Epstein to political figures he knew, such as former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, in an apparent effort to build Epstein's connections.

  • In late June 2019, Bannon exchanged excited texts with Epstein after a Miami Herald report that victims of Epstein's sexual abuse had lost a court battle to nullify a decade-old agreement that protected him from prosecution.
  • In April 2019, Bannon wrote to Epstein: "First we need to push back on the lies; then crush the pedo/trafficking narrative; then rebuild your image as philanthropist."
  • In March 2019, Bannon texted Epstein about hiring a "crisis comms guy" to "drive the narrative" after federal prosecutors began reviewing the handling of Epstein's 2008 criminal case.

The players

Steve Bannon

A leader in the MAGA movement and a former top aide to President Donald Trump, who advised Jeffrey Epstein on how to handle resurrected allegations of sexual abuse.

Jeffrey Epstein

A disgraced financier who was accused of sexually abusing underage girls and who sought Bannon's advice on how to handle the renewed scrutiny of his crimes.

Ehud Barak

The former Israeli prime minister, whom Bannon was introduced to by Epstein as part of an apparent effort to build Epstein's political connections.

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What they’re saying

“First we need to push back on the lies; then crush the pedo/trafficking narrative; then rebuild your image as philanthropist.”

— Steve Bannon

“Can we announce I'm his strategic adviser?”

— Steve Bannon

“I am a filmmaker and TV host with decades of experience interviewing controversial figures. That's the only lens through which these private communications should be viewed -- a documentary filmmaker working, over a period of time, to secure 50 hours of interviews from a reclusive subject.”

— Steve Bannon (The New York Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the close relationship between Bannon, a prominent figure in the MAGA movement, and the disgraced financier Epstein, raising questions about Bannon's judgment and ethics in aligning himself with Epstein even as the latter faced renewed scrutiny over his past crimes.