Emails Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".
These messages were released on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user 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 on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.