Emails Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are trying to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with 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 Department of Justice should make public all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.