Emails Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
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 Trump's closest 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 before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was finally removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.