Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act 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 highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling 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 in the UK. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.