Correspondence Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".
These messages were released on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was finally toppled in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not 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 Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.