Correspondence Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of the president's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "They are trying to move on. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly 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 first arrested.