Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters 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 layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".
These messages were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane 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 November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We're going to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can uk. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.