Messages Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These messages were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. 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 the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited this week after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.