Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, 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 the president's closest advisers in the lead-up to the presidential 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 recording of his show recently, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.