Trump's controversial chief strategist Steve Bannon exits White House
The Trump administration has lost yet another top aide. Embattled White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has exited the administration after months of clashes with senior Trump aides. It remains unclear whether he was fired by Trump or resigned. Bannon helped shape Trump's "America First" campaign message and advocated for the travel ban on citizens of certain predominantly-Muslim countries.
Who is Steve Bannon?
Bannon was born in Virginia in 1953. He went on to serve in the navy and then completed his MBA from Harvard. He became an independent political documentary filmmaker, making movies on Republican leaders like Ronald Reagan and Sarah Palin. Bannon was the head of Breitbart News, a populist, conspiracy-tinged right-wing website that publishes anti-establishment content and has been accused of promoting xenophobia and misogyny.
White House confirms Bannon's exit
Bannon's exit comes after White House Chief of Staff John Kelly conducted a review of his position. Insiders told CNN that Bannon's ouster was being planned for weeks. "White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Steve Bannon have mutually agreed today [August 18] would be Steve's last day. We are grateful for his service and wish him the best," Sanders said.
Bannon said he'll remain loyal to Trump
Bannon reportedly competed with the more moderate and globalist factions of the White House for influence. Bannon told reporters that he would be returning as head of Breitbart.com, a website accused of spreading anti-Semitic and white supremacist views. "I'm leaving the White House and going to war for Trump against his opponents - on Capitol Hill, in the media, and in corporate America."
Bannon's interview reportedly infuriated Trump
Last week, when asked about Bannon's job security, Trump responded: "We'll see." Earlier this week, Bannon gave an interview to liberal magazine American Prospect that reportedly angered Trump. Bannon had undermined Trump by dismissing the idea of a military solution to the North Korea crisis. He said America was "at economic war with China." Bannon told his aides he thought he was speaking off-the-record.
