Correspondence Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".
These messages were published on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming 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 occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged 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 quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. 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 first arrested.