Messages Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship
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 hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".
These messages were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of the president's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
On the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was finally toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.