Messages Reveal the late financier and Steve Bannon Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in 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 night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute 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 exchanges were published on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day 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: "They are attempting to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.