Correspondence Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".
These messages were released on this week together with over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford 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 was one of the president's key advisers in the run up to the presidential 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 documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "They are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "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 - somebody has to step up".
May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told media: "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 soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.