🔗 Share this article

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".

These messages were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's closest aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The president 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.