Messages Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".
These messages were published on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part 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, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.