Messages Highlight 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 address at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to confirm his involvement by matching the dates, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.