Emails Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.