Newly released documents from the so-called Epstein Files include repeated references to Italian politics, notably to Matteo Salvini, leader of the right-wing Lega and former interior minister. While the material contains no suggestion of any involvement by Salvini in Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities, it highlights the attention that Epstein and his associates paid to the rise of nationalist and populist leaders in Europe.
The documents, comprising millions of pages released by the U.S. Department of Justice, show that Epstein frequently discussed European political developments in private exchanges with Steve Bannon, the former adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump. Salvini is mentioned in more than 20 conversations, primarily in relation to electoral strategy and the broader growth of right-wing movements rather than personal matters.
Many of the references date from the period between Italy’s March 2018 general election and the European Parliament elections of May 2019. During that time, the Lega significantly increased its support and entered government. In the messages, Bannon speaks of travelling to Italy and meeting Salvini during sensitive phases of coalition negotiations, while Epstein’s comments reflect a close interest in Salvini’s political momentum.
The exchanges suggest that Epstein and Bannon viewed Salvini as part of a wider European realignment. Alongside figures such as Marine Le Pen in France and right-wing leaders in Hungary, Germany and the United Kingdom, Salvini was discussed within the framework of Bannon’s political organisation, The Movement. Bannon outlined ambitions to substantially increase right-wing representation in the European Parliament, presenting alliances with Lega and similar parties as central to that strategy.
US interest in Europe’s rightwing politics
In several messages, the two men speculated that a strong showing by right-wing parties in the European elections could destabilise national governments, including Italy’s, and potentially lead to early elections. A December 2018 exchange set out a scenario in which a right-leaning majority in the European Parliament could accelerate political change in Italy. Epstein responded sceptically, noting the potential consequences of such upheaval.
The files also contain discussions from early 2019 about campaign organisation and fundraising. In one exchange, Bannon refers to efforts to raise funds to support candidates linked to Salvini and Le Pen, although the documents provide no evidence of how such funding might have been channelled or recorded in official party accounts.
By the time of the European elections in May 2019, the tone of the messages became more cautious. Bannon suggested Salvini’s support may have peaked too early, while attention shifted towards other European leaders. Later references indicate that Salvini remained part of broader strategic thinking, though the volatility of European politics was increasingly apparent.
The documents do not establish whether Epstein and Salvini ever met in person. While Epstein mentions the possibility of travelling to Rome and refers to Salvini as an interesting figure, no direct contact is confirmed. A separate remark noting that Salvini does not speak English further underlines the distance between the discussions and any proven personal relationship.
Overall, the Epstein Files indicate that Salvini’s political ascent was closely monitored by figures involved in U.S. political strategy. The material frames his rise not simply as an Italian phenomenon but as part of a wider effort to influence the direction of Europe’s right-wing politics.
