Emails Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".
These messages were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as the president's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.