Correspondence Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations 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 advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to release the series, 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 documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the same day his address 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 seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.