Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".
These messages were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of the president's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party told media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.