Messages Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union 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 the president's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming 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 disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; 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 the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.