Correspondence Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".
These messages were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets managed to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, 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 faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.