Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can catch the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment 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 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A few days prior to the conversation 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 expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges
The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "They are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.