Emails Reveal the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by matching the dates, events, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends 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 inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as the president's closest advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House 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 show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others see the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.