Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of the president's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.