Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of the president's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the multi-part documentary, 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 short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
On the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.