Messages Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford 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 was one of Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile 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 remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely 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 May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.