Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".
These messages were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of the president's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a aide.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can uk. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however 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 surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and 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 probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those referenced 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 early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.