Correspondence Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can catch 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 excellent helper".
These messages were published on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as the president's key aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.