Messages Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".
These messages were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, 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 two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of the president's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.