Correspondence Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".
These messages were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets managed to establish his involvement by matching the dates, events, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as the president's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
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 booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.