Messages Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "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 alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by matching the dates, events, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of the president's key advisers 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 reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time 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 booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister 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 dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The Congress will vote 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.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.