Correspondence Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can catch the plane 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 helper".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, events, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.