Correspondence Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers in the lead-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 producing a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.