Emails Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These exchanges were released on this week together with more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual 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 on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was finally toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.
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 that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.