Emails Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".
These messages were released on this week together with more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by matching the dates, events, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve 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 records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.