Messages Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".
These exchanges were published on this week together with more than 20,000 pages 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 name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
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 resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.