Epstein's Shadow: Far-Right Funding Exposed 🚨💰
Europe
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A person close to Le Pen and Salvini contacted Jeffrey Epstein in 2019, stating he was “focused on raising money for Le Pen and Salvini” before European elections. Dozens of messages within the latest tranche of Epstein files detail Steve Bannon’s attempts to secure support and funding from Epstein for European far-right parties. Primarily dating to 2018 and 2019, Bannon, after being dismissed by Trump, regularly visited Europe, seeking to unite ultra-rightwing forces across Italy, Germany, France, and other nations. Bannon specifically targeted Matteo Salvini, the Italian deputy prime minister, while extensive communication occurred with Jeffrey Epstein. Messages revealed Bannon’s ambition for increased nationalist power in Brussels, particularly around the time of the European parliament ballot in late May 2019. These exchanges also referenced meetings between Epstein and figures like Olivier Colom, a former advisor to Nicolas Sarkozy, and Jack Lang, a French cultural figure. While no evidence suggests Epstein directly financed these parties, the documented efforts highlight a concerning pattern of attempts to influence European politics. The revelations raise questions about potential external influence on European political forces, particularly concerning the League’s rise and its current role in Italy’s governing coalition. The focus remains on understanding the implications of these communications for the political landscape within Europe.
EPSTEIN’S EUROPEAN WEB: POLITICAL FINANCE AND INFLUENCE
The latest tranche of Jeffrey Epstein’s files reveals a concerted effort by Donald Trump’s former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, to leverage Epstein’s wealth to bolster far-right political movements across Europe, primarily targeting figures like Matteo Salvini in Italy and Marine Le Pen in France. Key exchanges, largely occurring between 2018 and 2019, demonstrate a clear strategy of fundraising and strategic influence-peddling, aiming to utilize European nationalist parties for Bannon’s and Epstein’s own purposes.
BANNON’S EUROPEAN CAMPAIGN: TARGETING FAR-RIGHT LEADERS
Steve Bannon’s European travels during this period were largely focused on cultivating relationships with prominent far-right figures. He repeatedly sought to secure financial support for leaders like Matteo Salvini and Marine Le Pen, explicitly stating his goal of “raising money for Le Pen and Salvini so they can actually run full slates” in the lead-up to the 2019 European parliamentary elections. These efforts were fueled by a belief in the potential of these parties to further nationalist agendas within Europe.
ITALY’S LEAGUE: A TARGETED FUNDRAISING EFFORT
The most detailed efforts centered around Matteo Salvini and the League party in Italy. Bannon’s attempts to secure funding for Salvini included a meeting in Milan in March 2018, shortly after the Italian general elections that led to the League’s formation of a government with the Five Star Movement. Further meetings occurred in September 2018, coinciding with the League’s subsequent collapse of the coalition. While there is no evidence that Epstein provided direct financial support, Bannon's persistent attempts to access funds for the League highlight a strategic attempt to utilize the party’s political momentum.
FRANCE’S RIGHTWING NETWORK: INVOLVEMENT OF KEY FIGURES
Beyond Italy, Bannon’s network extended to France, involving figures like Jack Lang, a former culture minister, and his daughter, Caroline Lang, a film producer. Caroline Lang’s involvement included establishing an offshore company with Epstein in 2016 to invest in the work of young artists, demonstrating a wider network of financial transactions. Olivier Colom, a former diplomatic advisor to Nicolas Sarkozy, also appeared in communications, with an email exchange suggesting Le Maire had visited Epstein’s residence in New York.
GERMANY’S ALTERNATIVE FÜR DEUTSCHLAND: DENIGRATING MERKEL
The Epstein files also revealed exchanges between Bannon and Alternative fĂĽr Deutschland (AfD), the German populist party, with Bannon actively denigrating then-Chancellor Angela Merkel. These communications reflect a broader strategy of undermining established political figures and promoting alternative nationalist narratives within Europe.
POLITICAL CONCERN AND EXTERNAL INFLUENCE
The revelations have sparked significant concern within European political circles, with figures like Andrea Casu questioning the broader implications of the Epstein files. Casu emphasized that the files represent not just Epstein’s actions but also the potential for foreign influence on European political dynamics, raising questions about the extent to which powerful actors might be attempting to destabilize the continent. Riccardo Magi, president of Più Europa (More Europe), echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need to understand the potential impact of these revelations on the current political landscape.
This article is AI-synthesized from public sources and may not reflect original reporting.