Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping 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 suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so others see the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.