🔗 Share this article

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".

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

The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a jet 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 Union two days later.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

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

Some of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.