Messages Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".
These messages were published on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of the president's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording 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 recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.