Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed 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 layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".
These messages were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering 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 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for the political party informed media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.