Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 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 records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by matching the dates, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A few days 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: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was finally toppled in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.