Emails Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of the president's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.