Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent helper".
These messages were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's closest aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
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 most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.