Messages Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can catch the plane we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".
These exchanges were published on this week together with over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a aide.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.