Correspondence Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".
These messages were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents 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 exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed 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, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has not 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 Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.