Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".
These messages were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump'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 producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are trying to move on. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was finally removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.