Emails Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".
These exchanges were released on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are trying to move on. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was finally removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.