Messages Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".
These messages were released on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, events, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman 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 that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.