Emails Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can catch the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These messages were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.
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 the president's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We're going to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days 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 the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.