Messages Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time before 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 booking agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so others see the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.