Correspondence Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".
These exchanges were published on this week together with more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
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 the president's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.