Trump-Bannon fight: White House lawyers threaten Bannon
What's the story
White House lawyers have reportedly issued a "cease and desist order" to President Donald Trump's former-chief strategist Steve Bannon. The order accuses Bannon of violating the non-disclosure agreement he signed with the White House and speaking to the author, Michael Wolff. Wolff's upcoming book purportedly elaborates on several inside details on the Trump administration. What is the row about? Read on to know.
19 Aug 2017
Trump's controversial chief strategist Steve Bannon exited White House
On August 19, 2017 the Donald Trump administration had lost another top aide. Embattled White House chief strategist Steve Bannon exited the administration after months of clashes with senior Trump aides. Bannon had helped shape Trump's "America First" campaign message. He is also a movie director and producer and heads the right-wing populist conspiracy-tinged website Breitbart news.
Quote
What does the order state?
The order accuses Bannon of "disclosing confidential information, making disparaging... and in some cases defamatory statements about Trump, his family and the company" to Wolff.
Details
What does Wolff's book reveal?
Wolfe's book titled "Fire and Fury" is a tell-all work mentioning several embarrassing details about Trump. Apparently, Bannon has told Wolff that a meeting between Trump and a few Russians was "treasonous." Further, according to the book, Trump and his aides were shocked at the election win. It also says that Trump found the White House a bit "scary" in the beginning.
Response
Trump responds: 'Bannon has lost his mind'
In a recent statement, Trump said "When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind." Sarah Sanders, the White House Press Secretary described the book as being "filled with false and misleading accounts from individuals who have no access or influence with the White House". "The book that can only be described as a trashy tabloid fiction," she added.