Messages Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's key aides 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 acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.