Correspondence Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly 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, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These exchanges were released on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of the president's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
On the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.