Messages Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".
These messages were published on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.