Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection 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 seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so others see the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.