Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".
These messages were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of 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 short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", 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."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
On the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson 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 today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The Congress will vote 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 release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.