Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent helper".
These exchanges were released on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets managed to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part 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 misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was finally removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.