Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the day of his speech 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 British leader at the time, he added: "They are trying to move on. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.