Emails Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".
These messages were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.