Messages Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".
These exchanges were released on this week together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets managed to establish his involvement by matching the dates, events, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered 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.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as the president's closest advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.