Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.
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 Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was finally toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.