Emails Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".
These messages were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends 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 is not accused 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 presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so others see the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.