Emails Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford 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 served as the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the presidential 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 death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, 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: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.