Messages Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can catch the flight 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 amazing assistant".
These messages were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by matching the dates, events, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union 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 aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was finally toppled in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.