Correspondence Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was finally toppled in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.