Steve Bannon, a longtime loyalist and confidant of Donald Trump, has finally broken his silence regarding his relationship with the convicted pedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein. This development follows the recent release of documents by the Department of Justice, which unveil that Bannon maintained frequent and close communications with Epstein. The documents indicate that they shared political and media strategy in the period leading up to Epstein's arrest on sex-trafficking charges.
Bannon's Interview and Documentary Claims
In 2019, Bannon conducted a nearly two-hour interview with Epstein at the financier's Manhattan mansion. Now, Bannon is asserting that this interview was part of an effort to expose Epstein and 'destroy the very myths he created' for an upcoming documentary. 'I am a filmmaker and TV host with decades of experience interviewing controversial figures,' Bannon told the New York Times on Monday. He emphasized that his interactions should be viewed solely through the lens of a documentary filmmaker working to secure extensive interviews from a reclusive subject.
Backlash from Conservatives
Bannon's response comes amid significant backlash from conservatives, who have criticized him for private text messages exchanged with Epstein. In December 2018, Bannon suggested to Epstein that Trump was 'beyond borderline - 25 amendment,' implying support for using the Constitution to remove the President. This has led to accusations of betrayal, with figures like Michael Flynn, who served alongside Bannon in Trump's first term, calling for Bannon to be questioned. Flynn wrote on X, 'If Bannon AND Epstein were behind it, Bannon needs to be brought in for questioning.'
Other conservative activists have labeled Bannon a 'traitor' over his friendly relationship with the disgraced financier. The private text exchanges have raised eyebrows, given Bannon's role as one of Trump's most ardent media supporters and a key architect of Trump's 2016 electoral success against Hillary Clinton.
Legal and Political Implications
The scandal unfolds as the Trump administration attempts to clear Bannon's criminal record. Bannon was jailed in connection with the January 6 investigation after refusing to testify before the Democrat-led committee. The Justice Department has recently asked the Supreme Court and a federal judge to dismiss his indictment and conviction. In 2021, Bannon declined to provide documents or testify against Trump, leading the House to hold him in contempt of Congress, with the Biden DOJ prosecuting the case, resulting in a four-month prison sentence.
Newly Released Evidence
Further fueling the controversy, newly released Justice Department photos show Bannon posing casually alongside Epstein in the pedophile's Manhattan townhouse. These images were taken well after Epstein's sexual abuse crimes were widely known, adding to the scrutiny of Bannon's connections. The Daily Mail has reached out for comment on the specifics of his upcoming Epstein film, but details remain sparse as the story continues to develop.
