Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon 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 event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".
These messages were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 documents 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 identity is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to 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 quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts 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 no evidence that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.