Messages Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department 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 renewed recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.