Correspondence Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of the president's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are trying to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others see the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.