Messages Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".
These exchanges were published on this week together with more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets managed to establish his identity by matching the dates, events, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's closest aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.