Correspondence Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent helper".
These messages were released on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was finally toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.