Emails Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".
These exchanges were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was finally removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.