Correspondence Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
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, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can catch the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by matching the dates, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.