Messages Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".
These messages were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.