Emails Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection
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 disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".
These exchanges were published on this week together with more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of the president's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.