Correspondence Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These messages were released on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the estate 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 withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key aides in the run 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 producing a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the series, 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 seeming to act like a aide.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Farage, 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 trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly denied 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 prior to Epstein was initially charged.