Messages Reveal the late financier and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply 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 in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
On the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party told media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.