Insight into Steve Bannon via the Epstein Files

Me doing my research. (Image via Substack)

By: Gabriela Yareliz

The political games that were (and are) played. You can gain insight into a lot more than just Steve Bannon by diving into the files. You see the NYC people in these circles in a fish bowl. You gain insight into the world.

There are people who play the political game well (and note that doesn’t mean they are admirable). People like Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton— people with charisma and ruthlessness bundled into one. I have always said Stephen K. Bannon (“SB”) is one of those people. That one day, we will look back and see him as he was— a major player behind the scenes for the populist movement globally. When diving into the Jeffrey Epstein (“JE”) files, it becomes clear SB wasn’t at it alone.

With the latest drop of the Epstein files, we get a deep and precise insight into Bannon’s very close relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. You can read their text messages back and forth, and see Epstein giving Bannon bits of intelligence, information on people and talking points. JE prods him to focus on certain things. They exchange articles and interview links. They debate things. They read a book together— In the Closet of the Vatican.

Apparently part of the Bannon-Epstein book club.

The way they talk, it’s as if the world is their chess board. Bannon’s lack of integrity shines through, and some of the conversations get interesting.

Diving into these files can leave your head spinning. And I am in complete agreement with what Andy Frisella says below:

Andy Frisella’s post.

He is right. If the men of this country can’t come together to protect women and children— I mean what do we have left? We deserve whatever befalls us.

My dive into the files was less focused on the atrocities with women and children that are abundant, but I was focused on the players. Who are these people? Plenty of professors (Mark Tramo from UCLA making the headlines this week) and notable attorneys. Even Noah Tepperberg (Founder of TAO and LAVO and husband to the founder of MWH) makes an appearance for tea and exchanges some calls with Epstein; apparently, Tepperberg used to go to his house. Lots of people make cameos. If you live in NYC, I dare you to plug in the name of a company CEO or president or law firm partner and see what you find. Harvard seemed to be a playground for these people and a repeat destination.

This was the LAVO opening. Dates align.

There are a cluster of emails about Dominique Strauss Khan:

“Dominique Strauss Kahn
According to the on-line publication a new report prepared for Russian Prime Minister Putin by the Federal Security Service(FSB) says that former International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn was charged and jailed in the US for sex crimes on May 14 after his discovery that all of the gold held in the United States Bullion Depository located at Fort Knox was missing and/or unaccounted for.” (From the June 18, 2011 email titled DOMINQUE STRAUSS-KAHN ARRESTED, NOT BECAUSE HE RAPED A MAID, BUT BECAUSE HE HAD EVIDENCE US HAS NO GOLD IN FORT KNOX.)

It would seem to be this “investigative reporter” is quite compromised. Just a personal opinion.

Ed Epstein who wrote a book on DSK is constantly in touch with JE. They talk about investigations, facts, protection and the Euro. Ed Epstein waxes poetic about “what ifs” and compares the situation to the Gwyneth Paltrow movie Sliding Doors.

But when I saw the Bannon texts were there for the reading— I decided to dive in. I was curious. Curiosity killed the cat; but lucky for the cat— it has nine lives.

Things spotted (including screenshots of you want to read for yourself. I encourage you to. It’s a window into the mind of the person and the tone of the relationship. Blue is JE because this is his iMessage account. Gray is Bannon.):

A former Soros partner is a sponsor of Steve Bannon’s (SB) work.

They like to joke about Christianity at times which is so opposite of how SB presents on his shows. I was intrigued by this. I always find it interesting when people use religion to manipulate the public and present so “sober” and “righteous.”

Bannon does “ops” for a living.

They discuss “taking people down” but playfully. George Soros keeps making appearances. They discuss the Soros son takeover.

There is discussion about Anthony Scaramucci (the “Mooch”). No one likes him. The texts between the Mooch and JE feel very desperate energy. Like Scaramucci was dying to be friends with this pedophile.

French intelligence is mentioned and is a theme. (They also love to trash women’s looks when they look disgusting. Rich).

Another theme are the friends and family these people have in the media and how this is used to kill and manipulate stories. Another theme that emerges throughout are the JE connections with people at The New York Post (we won’t call them reporters because that is a disgrace to the profession). It’s also no mystery how, when JE died, The NYP was the first to get the photos and the scoop. The connections seem to run deep.

They discuss media having its privileges to mask sources. George Soros continues to pop up into the story.

Pelosi doesn’t escape criticism. They are always ready to drop everything and meet with one another— even in other countries. Constantly coordinating schedules.

Noam Chomsky and Woody Allen are always lurking in the background and meeting up with these two. Lots of dinners.

Lula and Bolsonaro make cameos throughout the text thread as well. Why was Chomsky in a prison with Lula? Wtf.

Both express annoyance with Roger Stone who apparently likes to talk.

They are heavily invested in the governments in Europe. Sometimes, they talk about Boris Johnson as if he is in their pocket. They can tell him to “stand down” or shut up.

JE weirdly refers to the U.S. as “big daddy America”.

Macron is discussed at length. “The ministers of the elite.” Unclear why French government and intelligence keep coming up. Apparently, it’s important.

I wonder what exactly is “over”.
“He wants to lead Europe; maybe the world”. LOL

China weaves in and out of the picture.

They often discuss Trump like someone they check and have control over. He was out of check here…

JE is focused on SB “WINNING” and is annoyed by how “busy” he is.

The last texts in the dump (there may be more) stop about a month before JE’s death. Did SB know they were going to arrest JE? Did JE? (There seems to be very little these two didn’t know).

These files are a wild read. The way people talk about events and others really makes you wonder what is actually happening. As always, the one thing confirmed is that nothing is what it seems. There is also so much that is real that is manipulated or killed in media newsrooms to control a narrative. It’s a wild world, filled with disgusting people (which we knew).

This is my own summary and opinions, but go read it yourself if you don’t think this is real. I always think it’s better to look for yourself. I have found that you can lay everything out in front of people, and they still choose to believe what they want to believe.

The thing about these files is— it’s not just about what is in front of us but everything left between the lines to decipher. It’s not just about those committing crimes but those who knew what was happening and were complicit in their silence or participated in manipulation and benefitted socially or economically from their relationship with this man. People who used their jobs to advance these actions and agendas. There are so many layers to this, and we are only at the surface.

The rational human wants justice. Where do we even begin? How do we achieve justice when the people in power of these institutions are all over this thing, either facilitating or being pawns? I agree with Andy Frisella that something has to be done. It’s time to stop with partisan politics. The truth is the two parties are replete with psychopathic perverts.

It’s a matter of character. And it feels we are at step one, seeing who people around us and “over us” really are.

“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time,” Maya Angelou said.

Now is not the time to look away.

Well

“Whatever you’re doing, do it well. If you’re writing a thank you note, take an extra minute to mention something beyond the typical thank you. If you’re exercising, do each set as well as you can. If you’re in conversation, really listen and don’t just wait for your turn to talk.

Having high standards adds up. You can nearly always find an extra minute to do it better. And most important, you prove to yourself that you’re the type of person who does things well.” James Clear

Do the thing well.

Some of the Week’s Favs (2.6.26)

01. Pyro Fitness

“Your habits are the silent architects of your life.” Kirsty Godso’s mantra

02. THIS TEA!!

Tried this tea by Natazia zu Stolberg, and I am obsessed with it. Smells like cumin but tastes like a warm hug.

Image via Dr. Stolberg

03. Podcast of the Week

This podcast with Emma Grede and Simon Sinek. Their conversation about leadership is important. Leadership is a topic I am obsessed with. I am always down to talk about it.

04. Quote About Courage

“ENTHUSIASM

IS A FORM OF COURAGE.”

Rainier Wylde

05. The Overflowing Florida Penalty Boxes, and Paul Maurice Stormed Off into the Tunnel

The Florida Panthers fought the Tampa Bay Lightning, and apparently, PoMo was ejected from the game. An icon. Not a single other soul fit in those penalty boxes. My favorite part of a hockey game— a penalty that was worth it.

The (Unseen) Magic

“What is magic? Magic isn’t what you see, it’s what you don’t see.” Tim Grover in conversation with Andy Frisella

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Trains are sort of running. There is a guy standing near me downing a Celsius, and it’s not even 8:15 am. What we see about someone can tell us a lot. This is why presentation matters. But as Tim Grover says, the magic is found in what we don’t see.

It’s found in the time spent taking care of your body; time present; time reading; time researching; time writing; time praying; time working when others are being lazy. What matters more and what impacts what’s seen the most is what is not seen.

The magic behind success and dreams come true is the stuff most people don’t see and will never see. What are you doing in the magic hours when no one sees you?

If you haven’t listened— check out Tim Grover x Andy Frisella. If you don’t know Tim Grover (see Michael Jordan), you are in for a treat. (His books are some of my all-time favorites).

Aliveness

“Civilization’s enduring commandment became: Do more. Try harder. Be better. Earn what was already yours in the first place–aliveness.” Rainier Wylde

Image from Pinterest.

By: Gabriela Yareliz

The quote above reminds me of Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese— “You do not have to be good; you do not have to walk on your knees.” There was a hilarious St. Denis Medical episode (s 1, ep 14) where Dr. Bruce listens to a dementia patient repeating this one line. He goes into this spiral about whether or not he has to be great.

I hope that no matter how your day started or how it is ending, that you do something today that makes you feel alive. Human. Grounded. Something that acknowledges the present as enough for right now.

Massage your feet. Drink some tea. Stretch out your lower back. Take a hot shower. Eat a chocolate. Find delight in a page. Be.

I often find that when I strive to do more than is feasible, I end up feeling like a machine.

We don’t need machines. We have those. We need more humans. We need people who are ALIVE.

Surrendering Small

“So we can stay small, fragile, and insignificant. But femininity isn’t any of those things. It’s loud, inconvenient, and strong AF.” Dr. Stephanie Estima

By: Gabriela Yareliz

For months, I have been looking closely at fitness, wellness and where I want to go. Carefully weighing what trainers and platforms I want to invest in and looking at years of certain types of exercise. It’s been ten years of Pilates mixed in with other low-impact movements. These past two months, I have been trying something new and out of my comfort zone.

When I saw the Dr. Estima quote above in the middle of her larger newsletter, it really resonated with me. So much of the world (including wellness) works to keep women small. And I don’t think we are better for it.

More recent influential voices are encouraging women into strength, space and ferocity.

Things that have stayed with me over time:

-We need to lift progressively.

-All workouts shouldn’t be done lying down on a mat.

-Mobility is key to aging well.

-There should be some sort of acceleration for the heart and impact for the bones.

-Variety doesn’t work as well as repetition.

-Rest is integral to growth (for muscles and generally).

-Something is better than nothing.

-Glute strength is very important.

This year, I was excited to complete the Pvolve New Year’s Challenge. It has pumped me up to continue and ramp up the sweat and effort. This year, I am surrendering the small. It’s ok to be inconvenient— inconveniently strong.

A Sassy February Awaits

“China tea, the scent of hyacinths, wood fires and bowls of violets— that is my mental picture of an agreeable February afternoon.”

-Constance Spry (1886-1960) [From my February reading of Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach]

By: Gabriela Yareliz

January ended chaotically. Do you feel it?

Some Mickey Mouse (Latin code for “rinky-dink”) Epstein files were released. Thomas Massie is still ready to ride at dawn. Respect.

Peter Attia was corresponding with Jeffrey Epstein. All that is out. Silence from the Attia end, but there was always something off about this guy when we heard him on podcasts. A weird arrogance that made this land softly. Checks out.

Nick Shirley is in California. More to come from that, I am sure.

We sadly lost Catherine O’Hara.

The New York Rangers continued to lose.

Danielle Bernstein of WeWoreWhat called off her engagement. We wish her well. It all felt very overnight. She was building her joint home with this guy, releasing awesome bridal outfits and cute V-day stuff, and then, Page Six broke the news. The eye procedure should have been a sign that the wedding was not happening. Apparently, the issue was his refusal to sign a prenup. Wishing them both well. Regardless of the reason, I do think we need to normalize calling off weddings. Women get a lot of bs for this (and it is a very painful decision), and more often than not (whether permanent or temporary due to timing), it’s the right decision.

People are canceling their Amazon Prime, ChatGPT and Uber subscriptions/apps and tagging Prof. Scott Galloway (mostly West Coast is leading the boycott. Most East Coast folks are like hell no. Midwest has Walmart and continues to thrive). I give this one month— like the subscriptions won’t even lapse, so big tech won’t feel a thing. It will be done for the screenshot only. If there is anything I learned from a recent episode of Shark Tank it’s that people pay big bucks for convenience. I don’t see Americans giving up convenience and comfort any time soon. We’ll see. Time will tell.

February is off to a spicy start. It’s like we entered the month flipping tables. We haven’t even gotten to the point where the horse is dragging us. That race hasn’t even started. We are still in the year of the snake. And boy is there a lot of shedding happening.

I was reading Brianna Wiest this morning, and I liked this note: “Eventually, you will have to stop pouring yourself into the things that will give nothing back, that take without any intent to give.”

It’s true, for relationships, jobs, and life, generally. What are you releasing as we enter the month?

I saw a recent photo of Danielle Bernstein sitting on a fire escape, captioned, “nyc’s version of touching grass.” A new month begins, and the rollercoaster continues.

Let’s go touch some grass. Something tells me we are in for a wild ride, and grounding is a good first step.

Wonderwall

“And all the roads we have to walk are winding

And all the lights that lead us there are blinding

There are many things that I would like to say to you.” “Wonderwall,” Oasis

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I thought of Mr. H this week. He was my middle school math teacher, the first year I arrived to Florida from Ohio. This teacher was always generous with his time. He also had a good sense of humor and participated in a video project my friend Michelle and I did. He loved seeing my cool new Xanga backgrounds I would code with background music. In fact, if I finished my work, he would let me use his computer. He was best friends with our Language Arts teacher (who would lend me books from her Masters program— I have always been surrounded by generous people), and he LOVED Oasis (the band). He was someone who had presence and made people feel like they mattered because they did.

That first year in Florida was a rough one. My family was fractured; we had just left everything we knew; and we were greeted by a million hurricanes while trying to find a place to settle down. Baptism by earth, wind and fire. As I tried to find my footing and my place, there were two places where I felt accepted in a group of misfits— his math class and running on the track. (Yes, it may sound odd, but I ran track. Long distance).

I think of him periodically (mostly when I think of the injustices of the world gathered). Unfortunately, he passed away not long after I sat in his class. He was a kind and effortlessly cool guy. It always made me sad that he died so young. I wondered what kind of despair he carried in his heart. Years later, I think of him. That’s how memories go. People come to you in different moments. They just sort of materialize and return. I think of him and his family, from time to time. I hope they are ok. I hope his children carry his hilarity and move with ease through the world.

We remember people as they were; and they remain as they are. For me, he will always be that teacher with the longer dark curly hair. White button-down stained with marker and dark pants. A large Ohio State banner by the board. Dry erase marker in one hand, and Oasis playing from his school district computer, speakers angled out. His desk was right by the window which faced the bright front of the old Florida brick school. Bright sunshine and humidity pouring in. A parking lot and Florida trees loaded with Spanish moss swaying in the near distance. Always bopping his head and returning to an open textbook on the lectern. When I sat at his computer to work on my blog (been writing for like 20+ years, people), sometimes, I would organize his pencils in his pencil cup.

He knew life was tough. He loved us annoyingly middle schoolers. In his own way, he was a Wonderwall. Our Wonderwall. And for that, we’ll always be grateful.