President Donald Trump today parted ways with chief strategist Steve Bannon, the White House announced.
President Donald Trump today (August 18) parted ways with his chief strategist Steve Bannon, the White House announced.
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The removal puts an end to his highly contentious career at the heart of the Trump administration.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders sent a statement to journalists on Friday afternoon after multiple media outlets reported on Bannon’s exit.
“White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Steve Bannon have mutually agreed today would be Steve’s last day,” Sanders said.
“We are grateful for his service and wish him the best.”
The New York Times, citing a person close to Bannon, said he had actually submitted his resignation on August 7.
It was set to be announced this week, however, it had been delayed due to the fallout from a rally by white nationalists in Virginia the previous weekend.
Once seen as a key player in Trump’s administration, Bannon had recently retreated from the limelight after bearing criticism for the failure of the president’s initial travel ban.
He had also purportedly lost in favour following his comments to an American Prospect reporter on North Korea in which he appeared to be questioning Trump’s position.