Messages Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to establish his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of the president's key advisers in the run 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 producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a aide.
A short time 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 highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are trying to move on. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.