Correspondence Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets managed to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations 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 run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are 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 are well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the justice department should release 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 publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.