One of the loudest voices in support of Donald Trump over the last two and a half years has been Steve Bannon, known for his job as head of the right-wing Breitbart News. After Bannon's controversial and critical thoughts about Trump and his administration were revealed in the new book "Fire And Fury," the president has decided to hit back against his former friend.
Trump on Bannon
Back in the summer of 2016, Donald Trump was on his way to becoming the Republican nominee for president, pulling off an upset over 16 other candidates. At this time, Trump's campaign manager, Paul Manafort, was forced to resign after it was revealed he had financial ties to Russia.
Replacing him was Kellyanne Conway, while Steve Bannon was brought on board to serve as campaign CEO. Bannon reportedly wielded much power behind the scenes and was eventually moved into the administration as Chief Strategist. His time there was short-lived, however, as in-fighting with other members of the team, including Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, became too much and Bannon was forced out over the summer. Since then, Bannon appeared to support Trump in public, but threw him under the bus during multiple interview with Michael Wolff for the recently released "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House" book. Bannon has been losing support from conservatives since the excerpts were released, including big money donor Rebecca Mercer, which Trump highlighted during a January 5 tweet.
The Mercer Family recently dumped the leaker known as Sloppy Steve Bannon. Smart!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018
In a tweet on Friday morning, Donald Trump continued his attack on Steve Bannon that started just hours after the book excerpts were released earlier this week. "The Mercer Family recently dumped the leaker known as Sloppy Steve Bannon," Trump tweeted, while adding, "Smart!" Additional reports have confirmed that Breitbart News is now contemplating whether or not they will keep Bannon following the public rift between himself and the commander in chief.
Rebekah Mercer spoke to Trump before severing financial ties with Steve Bannon: Report https://t.co/rHvDkXwc7p pic.twitter.com/Mht5YDW6EX
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) January 5, 2018
Twitter reaction
After Donald Trump tweeted out about Steve Bannon, it was only a matter of time before his critics lashed out. "Leaker indicates there was truth to what was said.
Liar would mean it was untrue," one tweet read.
American will soon drop the Traitor known as Dotard Donnie Trump!!
— Brian Krassenstein🐬 (@krassenstein) January 5, 2018
I heard the #Mueller family will be adopting him, Smart! #SloppySteve #FireAndFury
— Alt VP AKA "Nazi Puncherelli" (@PenceConscience) January 5, 2018
Leaker indicates there was truth to what was said. Liar would mean it was untrue.
— James Harkness (@JamGolf3) January 5, 2018
"'Leaker' implies that the stories are *true*. Thanks for confirming this, Colluding Donnie," another tweet added. "You gave him security clearances. You hire the best people," a Twitter user wrote with mockery. "I heard the Mueller family will be adopting him, Smart!" a follow-up tweet wrote.
You put Sloppy Steve Bannon on the National Security Council where he was privy to America's most sensitive secrets. Not smart!
— MockHimUp (@MockHimUp) January 5, 2018
Trashing the man who knows where all the bodies are buried. Smart!
— Emma Kennedy (@EmmaKennedy) January 5, 2018
Leaker? He is quoted in a book along with just about everyone else in the West Wing.
— pat l (@LPatherat) January 5, 2018
"American will soon drop the Traitor known as Dotard Donnie Trump!!" an additional tweet noted. "Trashing the man who knows where all the bodies are buried. Smart!" author Emma Kennedy tweeted. "You put Sloppy Steve Bannon on the National Security Council where he was privy to America's most sensitive secrets. Not smart!" a follow-up post stated.
