Did Steve Bannon steal the limelight and frustrate President Trump?

Did Steve Bannon steal the limelight and frustrate President Trump?

Steve Bannon was one of Donald Trump's most-trusted men

As Donald Trump's chief strategist, Steve Bannon was the man behind the curtain.

For many, he was the main architect of the President's successful populist election campaign.

But, despite helping the President win the Oval Office, after seven months his time at the White House is over.

A statement confirmed: "Chief of Staff John Kelly and Steve Bannon have mutually agreed today would be Steve's last day.

"We are grateful for his service and wish him well."


Regardless of the official line, US news outlets are speculating whether he jumped or whether he was pushed.

The New York Times has reported that Mr Bannon actually resigned on 7 August but the announcement was delayed by the violence in Virginia.

Others claim he was asked to leave.

Whatever eventually led to his departure, the fact that he has gone is no surprise.

Mr Bannon has always been viewed as a highly divisive figure both inside and outside the White House.

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Mr Trump got to know him after appearing multiple times on his Breitbart radio show.

Later, ideas he had discussed on-air would morph into some of the administration's more controversial policies, such as the travel ban.

The ability to capitalise on populist anger bonded the two men but Mr Bannon's role in the bitter infighting within Mr Trump's inner circle reportedly put him at odds with new chief of staff Mr Kelly.

The deadly clashes in Virginia during the weekend also prompted calls for him to be ousted.

Mr Trump has been under fire for seemingly defending white supremacists and many view Mr Bannon as a symbol of the alt-right.

A perception that he was stealing the limelight may have also frustrated his boss.

It was reported that Mr Trump was unhappy when Mr Bannon appeared on the front of Time magazine earlier in the year, so an interview with American Prospect magazine this week where he directly contradicted the President's strategy in North Korea is unlikely to have been welcomed.

Whatever the reason, while Democrats celebrate his departure, some on the right are angry.

Nineteen conservative groups called on the President to keep him while Breitbart editor Joel Pollak tweeted "#WAR".

Mr Bannon has returned to his post as executive chairman of the right-wing publication.

And for the moment it seems Mr Bannon is still fighting for his former boss, telling Bloomberg: "I'm leaving the White House and going to war for Trump against his opponents - on Capitol Hill, in the media, and in corporate America."

The challenge for Mr Trump is ensuring he continues to toe the company line and doesn't gather his troops and take aim at the President.