Correspondence Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious 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: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by matching the dates, events, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk 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 served as the president's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release 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 acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.