Correspondence Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
'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 stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Nigel 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 next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.