Anti-Trump Republican Ana Navarro likens Priebus and Bannon to Jekyll and Hyde
If President-elect Donald Trump really wants to "bind the wounds of division," Republican consultant Ana Navarro thinks he shouldn't have started out by appointing people like Breitbart News' Steve Bannon as his chief strategist. "I think that the appointments he makes early on are the first signal he sends about what kind of president he is going to be," Navarro, who has been a strong critic of Trump's, said Monday on CNN's New Day. "Many of us are torn by the utter disdain that we have for candidate Donald Trump and the utmost respect we have for the office of the presidency of the United States, and we want to give this guy [a] chance."
As much as she wants to "extend the olive branch," Navarro said that's hard to do when Trump names as chief strategist someone like Bannon, who has "such a track record and such a reputation for being controversial" and "for leading the hunting season against Republicans." Navarro also noted that Bannon's right-wing website Breitbart News is known to publish "anti-Semitic, anti-Hispanic, anti-everything type of headlines."
Navarro did, however, applaud Trump's choice of RNC chair Reince Priebus for chief of staff. Priebus "is a normal guy,” Navarro said. "He doesn't assault women, he is not anti-Hispanic and anti-immigrant. At this point, I'll take him and I'll love him. It was like you saw Donald Trump appoint Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde [Sunday] night."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Catch the rest of Navarro's thoughts on Bannon and Priebus below. Becca Stanek
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Swimming in the sky' in northern Brazil
The Week Recommends The pools of Lençóis Maranhenses are clear and blue
By The Week UK Published
-
An ailing Pope Francis – and the vultures circling in the Vatican
Talking Point Caught between his progressive inner circle and an influx of conservatism, the Holy Father should 'brace' himself for a battle
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: February 2, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Trump says 25% tariffs on Canada, Mexico start Feb. 1
Speed Read The tariffs imposed on America's neighbors could drive up US prices and invite retaliation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump blames diversity, Democrats for DC air tragedy
Speed Read The president suggested that efforts to recruit more diverse air traffic controllers contributed to the deadly air crash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
White House withdraws Trump's spending freeze
Speed Read President Donald Trump's budget office has rescinded a directive that froze trillions of dollars in federal aid and sowed bipartisan chaos
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OpenAI announces ChatGPT Gov for government use
Speed Read The artificial intelligence research company has launched a new version of its chatbot tailored for the US government
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Caroline Kennedy urges Senate to reject RFK Jr.
Speed Read Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s cousin said he should not become President Donald Trump's health secretary, calling his medical views 'dangerous'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
GOP senator reneged on voting against Hegseth
Speed Read North Carolina senator Thom Tillis provided the deciding vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as defense secretary
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump sparks chaos with spending, aid freezes
Speed Read A sudden freeze on federal grants and loans by President Donald Trump's administration has created widespread confusion
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump feuds with Colombia on deportee flights
Speed Read Colombia has backed off from a trade war with the U.S., reaching an agreement on accepting deported migrants following tariff threats from President Donald Trump
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published