Messages Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to establish his involvement by matching the dates, events, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused 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 aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary 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 release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
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 travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.