Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the flight we are heading 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 exchanges were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of the president's closest advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times 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 highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
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 Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people 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 over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.