Correspondence Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".
These messages were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by matching the dates, events, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
On the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.