On Friday, America learned that Stephen Bannon is packing up his conspiracy board and leaving the White House for good. Bannon's ousting has been rumored since the spring, with President Trump finally conceding his aide's future was uncertain earlier this week. Even Bannon admitted he'd didn't think he'd last more than eight months in Washington. (He was sworn in seven months ago next Tuesday.)
The former (and perhaps returning) head of Breitbart, Bannon has been vehemently opposed by the left since he was appointed. "Homophobia, misogyny, anti-Muslim fearmongering, fat jokes — no matter who you are, Bannon probably thinks you're inferior," The Huffington Post wrote last month.
Here are some of his most telling comments since entering the White House. Jeva Lange
On the chaos on Charlottesville, Virginia: "Just give me more. Tear down more statues. Say the revolution is coming. I can't get enough of it." [The New York Times]
On the far right: "Ethno-nationalism — it's losers. It's a fringe element. I think the media plays it up too much, and we gotta help crush it, you know, uh, help crush it more … These guys are a collection of clowns." [The American Prospect]
(Reportedly) on Jared Kushner: A "cuck" and a "globalist" [The Daily Beast]
On his late-night conversations with former Chief of Staff Reince Priebus:
"We talk a lot, pretty much all day long," Priebus said. "And then we communicate at night —"
"Until we fall asleep," Bannon interjected with a laugh.
Priebus cut in, "Until somebody falls asleep … You fell asleep last night."
"I did," Bannon said.
"I think, like, a quarter to 11," Priebus added.
"I did," Bannon said.
"He became unresponsive," Priebus laughed. [New York]
On why former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer stopped doing televised press conferences: "Sean got fatter." [The Atlantic]
On his to-do list: TAXES
On his hit list: "[Bannon] has told the president to keep a s--- list on this," one official said. "He wants a running tally of [the Republicans] who want to sink this … Not sure if I'd call it an 'enemies list,' per se, but I wouldn't want to be on it." [The Daily Beast]
On conflict in the White House: "I love a gunfight." [Axios]