Correspondence Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".
These messages were released on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as 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 White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged 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 quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrowâŚ"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.