Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".
These messages were published on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.