Emails Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.