Emails Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can catch the plane we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent helper".
These messages were released on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For instance, 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 November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations 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 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
On the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.