Emails Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".
These messages were published on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets managed to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further 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 booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.