Messages Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as the president's closest advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
On the day of 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 appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.