Messages Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent helper".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed 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 prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "They are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
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: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
May was finally removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting 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 jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.