Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading 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 exchanges were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by matching the dates, events, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
On the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are trying to move on. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was finally toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.