Emails Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week together with more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends 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 misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials suggest 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 few days before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
On the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "They are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.