Some self-described viewers and fans of Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast have been speaking out as newly released files from Jeffrey Epstein’s case reveal Bannon’s close relationship with the late convicted sex offender. Bannon was exposed earlier this year for having unreleased interview footage with Epstein that was supposedly meant to be part of a plan to rehabilitate Epstein’s public image.
Through many conversations in newly-released documents, Epstein offered Bannon advice on issues related to the Trump administration and his personal political endeavors. There are emails between the two men in which Epstein weighed in on Trump Cabinet officials, writing, “getting rid of powell much more important than syria /mattis. . I guess pompeo , only one left,” and, “mnuchin is ok.” In others, Epstein gave Bannon advice on interviews and provided talking points for an economic conference at which the former Trump strategist was speaking.
In return, Bannon instructed Epstein — reportedly up until the day of Epstein's arrest — on how to respond to protests over his ties to the Trump administration and restore his reputation. In one email, Bannon called the scandal a “sophisticated op” and told Epstein “somebody big has u in the gunsights." The Byline Times described the documents as revealing that Epstein was “Bannon's strategic and operational partner.”
Despite calling for the release of the Epstein files earlier in the year, Bannon has now gone virtually silent on the issue — and his War Room audience appears to be noticing.
