Correspondence Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".
These messages were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's key aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a aide.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Boris 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 soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.