Emails Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a address at the 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 don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".
These messages were published on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others see the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.