Emails Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".
These messages were released on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "They are trying to move on. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.