Virginia Tech alumnus and former White House Chief Strategist and Conservative commentator Steve Bannon has been extensively named in the recent round of Epstein files. Bannon graduated from the Virginia Tech College of Architecture and Urban Studies in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in urban affairs. Bannon is mentioned frequently in the recent Department of Justice releases under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Bannon was first publicly associated with Epstein in August of 2018, when he was seen entering Epstein’s Upper East Side residence. In 2021, author Michael Wolff also revealed in his book Too Famous that Bannon provided media training to Epstein in early 2019, prior to Epstein’s July 2019 arrest, to prepare him for a potential interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes. Bannon confirmed to the New York Times that he recorded roughly 15 hours of interviews with Epstein during this period, supposedly for a documentary.
The Contents
On April 11th, 2019, Bannon stated that he was at the World Bank, likely in a message to Epstein himself. While the identity of the other party in the message chain is redacted, Bannon later asked if the person was ready to film, possibly referring to the ‘documentary’ produced with Epstein. Bannon then said, “Six part series : 1 hour each ; 90 minute cut for theaters.” To which the other messenger replies, “OUCH!!!!” and later asked, “Do you want to film island ranch, etc.” Jeffrey Epstein owned a Ranch in New Mexico along with his infamous Island of Little Saint James. At Rancho de San Rafael, formerly Zorro Ranch, Epstein is alleged to have committed sex crimes against minors there
Emails released in November of 2025 showed Epstein gifted Bannon and Bannon’s son, Hermes, Apple Watches in late 2018, reportedly valued at $1,499 each at the time. In a text conversation between Epstein and Bannon, Epstein asked, “Did you get your Apple Watch I sent you for xmas,” and, later in the conversation, said, “Im well informed. 🙂 And feel no insult reminding you that you have friends…” Epstein frequently uses the smiling-blushing emoji, including in this text chain, often in unusual contexts.
Bannon and Epstein also discussed their “friend in France,” Jacques Lang, the former Minister of National Education for the country. In one message exchange, Epstein shared a photograph of himself and Jacques Lang, the country’s former Minister of National Education. Epstein wrote, “just us two entire place. French power,” and asked Bannon if he could meet for dinner the following day. Jacques Lang is a member of the Socialist Party of France. Jeffrey Epstein had a luxury apartment in Paris, France.
Throughout the documents, Bannon and unknown messengers frequently referenced Miroslav Lajčák, or ‘Miro,’ who was the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia, and the President of the United Nations General Assembly from 2017 to 2018. Lajčák is a member of the Communist Party of Slovakia.
In one text chain, an unknown messenger, likely Epstein himself, sends a photo of Slovakian
presidential polls from 2019, indicating that Lajčák was in the lead. This messenger also
frequently uses the smiling-blushing emoji in the conversation. The same messenger also called Miro a ‘source,’ referring to a book that Bannon was writing. Bannon replied that he was “not doing the book now…”
The conversation then shifted to Miles Kwok, also known as Guo Wengui, a Chinese
businessman. Bannon asked if the messenger knew “my man Miles Kwok,” and stated that he just bought a residence on 71st Street, the same street where Jeffery Epstein owned a New York townhome. Kwok is also noted to have bought out an entire floor of the Sherry Netherlands hotel. The messenger replied, “Where on my street?” again indicating that it is likely Epstein himself, and later said, “Get me the address. HBJ Cosby Greeks and me.” HBJ appears to reference Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, the former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, and a Qatari billionaire severely implicated in the Epstein files. Both ‘Miro’ and ‘HBJ’ are mentioned in several other conversations involving Bannon, along with Terje Rød-Larsen, a Norwegian diplomat and member of the Norwegian Labour Party.
Additionally, in a conversation on September 18th, 2018, likely with the same messenger, given the use of the smiling-blushing emoji, the messenger referenced ‘Miro’ and ‘Terje,’ describing Tejre Larsen, whom Bannon indicated that he was having breakfast with.
In the same conversation, the messenger asked, “HBJ 28th or 29?” referring to Al Thani, and
connecting all three to Bannon when he wrote, “Hey. I know you have Europe plans. But if I
were you, [I’d] be in New York during UNGA. Then [I’m] also going to Europe on the 30th. Miro will be in New York as will Terje with every foreign minister. Just a thought.” UNGA refers to the United Nations General Assembly.
Bannon responded, “I’ve committed to these events in Italy and Czech Republic — working it
now,” to which the messenger later replied, “Italy yes. But New York is the only place to be that week / Davos guys, China guys, Miro. Terje. Middle easterners etc.” ‘Davos guys’ refer to
people involved in the World Economic Forum, based out of Davos, Switzerland.
In November of 2018, a messenger, again likely Epstein, asked, “Thurs lunch – HBJ house
Paris,” again referencing Al Thani, and later wrote, “When you see Jabor you can tell him, I told you he is my Arab brother. And tell HBJ that I told you that he and Ehud Barak are head and shoulders above the rest. They will then know you are family.” Ehud Barak is the former Prime Minister of the State of Israel, and a political enemy of Benjamin Netanyahu.
Epstein also added, “How does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history[?]”
Later in the conversation, Epstein sent a photo of Miroslav Lajčák and Secretary of State Rex
Tillerson, to which Bannon replied, “That photo is huge.” Lajčák has also had extensive interactions with Hillary Clinton during her time as Secretary of State of the United States.
Epstein and Bannon also discussed Soviet-born Israeli politician Avigdor Lieberman, who
Bannon described as “…farther right than Bibi,” referring to Benjamin Netanyahu.
In October of 2018, Epstein texted Bannon, “HBJ in Beirut. If you can contact Jabor. I emailed you [his] contact.” He follows up with, “Steve Jobs son [Reed] wants to meet.” Bannon replied, “Why would Steve Jobs kid want to meet an anti-Semitic, white supremacist?“
On April 30th, 2019, Steve Bannon sent a text message to Epstein regarding the filming of their ‘documentary.’ Bannon suggested he would bring a “Limited crew – 5 max prob[ably] 3,” and asked the following day “Can Dan connect with Darren today?”
“Darren” refers to Darren Indyke, Epstein’s personal attorney. Daniel ‘Dan’ Weiner was
Indyke’s personal attorney and represented the Epstein estate. In April 2019, Epstein attempted to set up a Kovel agreement, a tactic that would prevent the ‘documentary’ footage from being admissible in court. Such an agreement would have classified Bannon as a contractor for Indyke, shielding the footage under attorney-client privilege. In May 2019, Epstein texted Bannon, “You and I are perfect. All under [privilege],” suggesting he believed the legal shield was already in effect.
In a conversation on July 6th, 2019, Bannon asked, “Can we film Sunday morning[,] Sunday
afternoon???” and, “U still going to see Watson on Monday?” to which the other messenger,
likely Epstein, replied, “Yes, and you are coming / We are scheduled to go to his house in Cold Spring Harbor. I will then go to airport and island. For rest of week.” Bannon responded, “If we can arrange it can we film on the island?” and the messenger responded in the affirmative. This was the same day Jeffrey Epstein was arrested
Even before that, in August of 2018, Epstein texted Bannon, “Ok. I’m aware you are busy.
However- I’d appreciate at least a proposed schedule. Paris, ranch, island were all missed
opportunities since April. I am focused on you WINNING! So no worries.” The locations refer to Epstein’s residences in Paris, New Mexico, and Little St. James island
Days later, Epstein texted Bannon, “Let me know your schedule and if you want to come to the island next weekend would be perfect. And I would fly you guys back in addition I’ve told Dan to send Darren an invoice for 100k. I don’t like you laying out money.” to which Bannon replied, “Let me make the overall deal with Darren. Don’t want to do this piecemeal. I’ve already got my 2 other shooters and editors off on other projects and need to get back. Key now is getting the entire ‘cast.’” Later in the same conversation, they discussed George Nader Mueller, and Epstein said, “Can you imagine. He actually, literally, had pictures of some kid f*****g a goat. True!!!”’
Epstein also said to Bannon, “[I’m] happy to send a plane to pick you up in wash and bring you down to me and [Miro].” again referring to Lajčák, and said, “He’s around until the 17th, but gone Sat. till Tues. not sure when you are going to Europe. [I’ll] go on the 5th now. / [Mr.] evil willing to meet you in Europe, I don’t need to be there.” It is unclear who ‘Mr. Evil’ is referring to.
In March of 2019, Epstein discussed his time in Paris. Bannon responded, “Gillet jeunes have not burned you out yet?” ‘Gillet jeunes’ is French for, ‘young throats.’
In April of 2019, Bannon appeared to give Epstein counseling on his public image. Bannon said, “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 philanthropist.” Epstein replied, “In any bar where drinking age is 18 I guess that 10 percent of patrons are under 18. They sneak in, they have fake [ID], their friends bring them in, and that is with guards at the door, the owner gets a fine, every bar in Florida. There is no intercourse. / The reports that said they lied when asked re their ages undercuts the argument that I sought young girls. Think of the bar.” Epstein later added, “…and each girl knew why she was coming to the house massage with extra, hardly coercion,” and, “Thank you very much for your time and your guys, I am happy to pick up any cost from today. Pay your guys, etc.”
Earlier that year, in one set of messages on January 28th, 2019, Bannon discussed a New York Post article posted that same day titled, “We’ll have a cure for cancer within a year, scientists claim.” The unknown messenger jokes that “Cancer is smart,” to which Bannon replied, “Jews are smarter.” He later said, “My money on Israel,” to which the messenger responded, “Israel is always have the answers. Aging, cancer, [It’s] the Jews in the states that produce results,” and said, “I get an Israeli co a day – Arabs invest :)”
There are various other references to Judaism, Jewish ethnic supremacy, deities like the demon Beelzebub, and even the “Testament of Solomon,” an occult book which is not regarded as scripture by Christians or Jews. There are also extensive files where Bannon can be seen having a conversation with no one. It is unclear whether Bannon was texting himself, or if the person he was texting either deleted their messages or had their messages removed from the documents. Bannon and Epstein frequently joke about and mock Donald Trump, and other figures they considered ‘unserious.’
The Implications
The conversations presented can and likely will be shrugged off by many. Any accusations are simply that; however, when it comes to the Epstein files, is anything really a coincidence? Steve Bannon climbed his way into American politics, with his successful podcast “War Room,” with which he cultivated a pro-MAGA, America First public image, and strong anti-elite views. Because of his successes, this so-called far right, nationalist populist worked alongside White House correspondents and served as the Chief Strategist for the Trump White House in early 2017.
Now, with the publication of these files, one of the most influential alumni Virginia Tech has
produced is tied to one of the most controversial and extensively documented cases in recorded history.
Publicly, Bannon stands very firm in his faith as a self-proclaimed Catholic. Yet, as evidenced by the exchanges, even while being repeatedly exposed to perverse dialogue from Jeffery Epstein and possessing knowledge of the allegations made against him, Bannon continued feeding these connections. One must question whether he would have ever stopped if it weren’t for Epstein’s arrest, followed by his untimely death. Bannon repeatedly decided to arrogantly continue, even publicly criticizing the Catholic church as he conversed with Epstein and his associates behind the scenes.
In addition to this, Bannon was known to present Donald Trump as “an instrument of divine
will” to his audience, helping to fuse his nationalist views with faith and the drive to defend
Christian values against the influence of the very elites he was covertly associating with. While outspoken faith should rarely be condemned, Bannon exploited it as another tactic in his targeted persona to gain the favor and ears of Christians and Americans.
With the given evidence, Bannon can, at the very least, be seen as a fraud. He played the persona of a die-hard Christian American who avidly supported the average man through his populist views. Off screen, however, Steve Bannon was a man who associated with European socialists communists, even far right politicians in Israel and Middle Eastern billionaires, mocked the candidate he served as a chief executive for, and befriended Jeffrey Epstein. Though he tried to paint his relationship with Epstein as a professional transaction that began in late 2018, it was clearly a close, social relationship with frequent meetings at five of Epstein’s estates, from New York to Paris apartment, Zorro Ranch in New Mexico, and the infamous Little James Island. All of which have now been exposed as repeat destinations for some of the most disturbing elite gatherings.
As students who walk in the same footsteps as this individual, we must be reminded that success is often accompanied by corruption. However, it is always one’s own duty to decide whether to fall into the temptation of power or forsake the flesh of the world and live truthfully in your values.
By Jacob Taylor & Kailey Hoyt
Jacob Taylor is a writer for Hokie Stone Press. He is a sophomore studying Civil Engineering at Virginia Tech. Jacob is an avid writer, amateur historian, and enjoys reading philosophy. Kailey Hoyt is a writer for the Hokie Stone Press. She covers local political and cultural issues relating to Virginia Tech, with a passion for accountability journalism. Kailey is currently majoring in History at Virginia Tech, with minors in both Russian and National Security and Foreign Policy.