Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further 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 arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK 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 took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president 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.