Guardian analysis of more than a million emails reveals financier’s deep and longstanding ties with the wealthy and powerful
The release of the Epstein files has reverberated around the world, leading to at least nine resignations and investigations into high-profile figures, including the former UK ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, and the ex-princeAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The deluge of information has made it hard to assess the extent of the connections but a Guardian data analysis reveals how frequent, deep and longstanding his ties were to a number of high-profile figures.
The Guardian examined more than a million emails released so far and identified over 150,000 unique emails between Epstein and a select group of elites and influential people (including those sent to or from assistants or close associates).
In this two-part series, the Guardian analyses correspondence between more than 30 people and Epstein, and visualises the online relationships of seven high-profile figures. The first article looks at Mountbatten-Windsor, Mandelson, Trump’s former chief strategistSteve Bannon, and the Emirati billionaire Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem. Tomorrow, the Guardian will focus on the director Woody Allen, the former head of Barclays Jes Staley, and the renowned economist and former US treasury secretary Larry Summers.
Appearing in the Epstein files does not constitute evidence of wrongdoing.
Steve Bannon mainly spoke to Epstein over WhatsApp but the Guardian identified almost 1,500 emails between them or their assistants – mostly in 2018, a year after Bannon left his White House role. The two men often discussed politics and film.
In May 2018, Bannon sent Epstein aGuardian articleabout a Dutch exhibition exploring his political propaganda. In a seeming reference to Leni Riefenstahl, he said the Nazi filmmaker was “his hero”. (He haspreviously spoken aboutlearning from her technique while leaving “the politics aside”.)
On Apr 22, 2018, at 7:31 AM, Jeffrey E. wrote:
we should go see it. . sean can dress like adolph and you like leni
On Sun, Apr 22, 2018 at 7:39 AM, Steve Bannon wrote:
Leni my hero
In July 2018, Bannon forwarded Epstein an article detailing his plans to launch a rightwing foundation called “The Movement” in Brussels. The text explicitly mentioned Bannon’s courtship of “nationalists of the right from East to West”. Epstein responded with strategic advice:
From: Jeffrey ETo: Steve BannonDate: Mon, 23 Jul 2018 02:02:16
If you are going to play here , you’ll have to spend time , europe by remote doesn’t work . Lots and lots of face time and hand holding
