Emails Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
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 stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.