Messages Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party told media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records 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 release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.