Correspondence Uncover 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 address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
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 the president's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for the political party told media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.