Messages Highlight 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 prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".
These messages were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "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 replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
On the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so others see the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with 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 probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.