Correspondence Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, events, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's key aides in the run 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 film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.