Correspondence Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".
These messages were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by matching the dates, events, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key aides 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 acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so others see the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his estate.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.