Correspondence Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously 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, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as the president's key aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.