Correspondence Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".
These messages were released on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply 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 in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
May was finally removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.