Messages Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".
These messages were published on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
On the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was finally removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris 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 records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.