Correspondence Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can catch the plane we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We're going to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A few days 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 history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The published 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've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "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 dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.