Correspondence Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".
These messages were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to establish his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, 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 took part in the Edinburgh 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.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A short time prior to the conversation 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 the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied 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 initially charged.