Messages Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".
These exchanges were released on this week together with more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
On the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was finally toppled in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.