Emails Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the dates, events, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
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 the president's closest advisers in the run up to the presidential 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 film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can uk. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.