Emails Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".
These exchanges were published on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
On the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.