Emails Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can catch the flight 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 helper".
These exchanges were published on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets managed to establish his identity by matching the dates, events, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show 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 indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.