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By Leonardo Feldman
White House Reporter
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Bannon, a prominent MAGA figure, is the focus of major backlash, including from fellow conservatives, over newly released text messages between him and Jeffrey Epstein.
The texts from 2019 reveal a cozy relationship between Bannon and Epstein, including advice that Bannon once gave the convicted sex offender.
“First we need to push back on the lies; then crush the pedo/trafficking narrative; then rebuild your image as philanthropist,” Bannon told Epstein.
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Newsweek has reached out to the White House and Steve Bannon for comment.
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Why It Matters
Epstein was first convicted in Florida in 2008 for solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of prostitution from a minor. He served 13 months with extensive work release after reaching a plea deal for those crimes.
In February of 2019, federal prosecutors began looking into the handling of that case, and Epstein asked Bannon for advice on whether he should respond to reports about it.
Bannon responded, "Have you lost your f****** mind."
He then went on to say, "The moment you say ANYTHING, this is global story#1!!!!!”
What To Know
Bannon's advice to Epstein is not the main reason why conservatives have lashed out at the longtime Trump ally.
The biggest problem GOP figures have with Bannon stems from an interaction on January 1st of 2019, where Bannon replied to a text about Trump, suggesting he should be removed from office, by texting, "25th Amendment."
What People Are Saying
General Michael Flynn, who once served as President Donald Trump's National Security Advisor, posted on X, "The WH or at least DOJ needs to come out and say what they plan on doing with this information."
Flynn stated, "I remember all the 25th amendment talk back in the first term. It was really ugly. If Bannon AND Epstein were behind it, Bannon needs to be brought in for questioning. And he needs to address this and all the other sh!t he was doing on behalf of Epstein."
Another conservative, who used to be a major Trump ally, former Republican representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, replied to Flynn's comment, saying, "I agree completely. Steve Bannon went to jail for Trump (I was there), but back on 1-1-19 (after Dems took the House) he was texting with Epstein about 25th amendment. Also, there is no excuse for having such a friendly relationship with Epstein, post conviction, 2018-19. None."
What Happens Next
Bannon has dismissed criticism over his relationship with Epstein, telling the New York Times: “I am a filmmaker and TV host with decades of experience interviewing controversial figures.“
He went on to say, "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.”
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