Emails Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can uk. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for the political party told media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.