Correspondence Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".
These messages were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging 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 on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. 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 first arrested.