After everything we’ve been through, in my humble opinion, too little too late. Besides, Bannon’s not dumb, he knew exactly what he was saying and with whom he was speaking. With so much at stake, there are no excuses. I have defended him many times, publicly and privately. No more.
His real concern? Probably a backlash across the board he somehow didn’t anticipate, and the possibility of being booted off the Breitbart board.
I’m curious to see what you think…
Former Trump political strategist Steve Bannon on Sunday expressed “regret” for unflattering comments attributed to him in the recently released Trump White House tell-all “Fire and Fury,” saying he should have responded sooner and that he continues to support the president.
“My support is also unwavering for the president and his agenda,” Bannon said in a statement to Axios.
Fox News later Sunday confirmed the statements with Bannon.
The statements in the book attributed to Bannon, who joined the Trump presidential campaign in the closing months, were most critical of the president’s son Donald Trump Jr., who also was a part of the campaign.
“Donald Trump Jr. is both a patriot and a good man,” Bannon also said in the statement. “He has been relentless in his advocacy for his father and the agenda that has helped turn our country around.”
He also said: “I regret that my delay in responding to the inaccurate reporting regarding Don Jr. has diverted attention from the president’s historical accomplishments in the first year of his presidency.”
Bannon infuriated Trump with comments he made to author Michael Wolff describing a meeting between Trump Jr. and a Russian lawyer as “treasonous” and “unpatriotic.”
Trump has, since the book was officially published Friday, repeatedly called Bannon “Sloppy Steve” and said he cried when the president fired him last year from his White House strategist job.
But Bannon, in the statement, says his description of the meeting was aimed at former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, not Trump’s son.
At the risk of sounding like a “smartypants,” — I *never* liked Bannon much, and I always suspected him of being on, what we used to call “back in the day,” a big *Ego Trip.* He fancied himself as all-powerful, and I’m sure he believes, as was repeated on the horrible Meet the Press softball interview with Wolff today, that *he* was responsible for Trump’s election win. Yeah. No.
And listening to his speeches supporting Roy Moore, he sounded like a demagogue.
I think he got “drunk” on his sudden fame and “power” when Trump won the presidency.
Good riddance.
I second what Shifra wrote. I saw a lot of this with Tea Party: Some people would get drunk on their own success, and begin making bad choices. Most of those people are long-gone from the grassroots efforts, which continue with those who went a less fame-filled, glamorous route.
Bannon experienced an alcoholic version of “drunk on success”. While I think we can understand what has happened, and not belittle Bannon further, the man must recuse himself and seek a new pathway if he wants political redemption.
Sadly, for him, his apology did not come before Trump tagged him as “Sloppy Steve”.
I guess I was biased as having met him through Andrew Breitbart. My experience w him during the Palin years was good, but then again my work w him was brief, and I perhaps could call him an acquaintance at most. But I try to believe the best of people. Perhaps he changed through the years. Many of us have. But I do think he took a strangely long time to call out the fact that he wasn’t speaking of Don, Jr. As you could tell from my post, I don’t believe he’s sincere here.
Bannon blew a great opportunity to elevate Pres. Trump & his agenda for the American people (the forgotten people) . He doesn’t appear with all of his intelligence to know truly how to work with other’s including the Presidents Family. Pres. Trump didn’t label him “Sloppy Steve” without reason. With a few simple adjustments in his attitude, rapper with his WH colleagues & his appearance he could have done so much for the good ! So in that regard it’s truly disappointing. I had hope that he was the ONE PERSON WE could rely on . It turns out he’s no better than many others…and the President again left to fight another battle himself! And BTW let’s also call out the RNC … why hasn’t Ronna McDaniel stepped up to DEFEND the President against this book & the rubbish spread by Dems & MSM ?
I don’t think we should toss Sloppy out on his arse. He is a talented man. I liked what he did in the Palin years when America was bleak. Because of his vision, he is a good resource person to give feedback on issues which differ from the mainstream political arena. A good sounding board, visionary, and scholar. So he stepped on a few sensitive toes…Who cares. Keep him close for safety’s sake.
I was leery of Bannon joining Trump’s campaign, but at the end of it, I was won over because Bannon stayed in the background. That’s hard for most in Washington and I didn’t think he would.
Then after the victory and in the WH, Bannon for whatever reason turned into the Wash. DC Mr. Hyde that I initially was concerned about. Now the worst part is the GOPe won’t let him go. Like on the Payne show, 1/10, the man on with Tammy brought up Bannon as an example of those that want a wall are not of good character and should not be listened to. Can’t forgive Bannon for that.