Correspondence Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover 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 disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of more than 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 says they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.