Behind the scenes: What 'fixated' Bannon really thinks

Behind the scenes: What 'fixated' Bannon really thinks

Bannon: Every day will be a fight

For a brief moment, a fascinating window on the White House opened at the CPAC conference in Washington DC.

The chief strategist to the President, Steve Bannon, gave a rare public address.

The man who is credited with being the brains of the Trump operation was combative, compelling, and above all coherent.

He railed against the "globalist" media, elaborating on the importance of law and order, deregulation and economic nationalism.

Trump's top adviser - a profile of Steve Bannon

Such red meat delighted the grassroots audience but it also offered a rare glimpse behind the curtain.


Mr Bannon revealed himself to be utterly fixated on executing Mr Trump's agenda, which broadly for him, means dismantling the apparatus of 'big' government.

It was also perhaps the most cogent set of arguments presented on behalf of this new administration.

In terms of stage presence, Mr Bannon outshone chief of staff Reince Priebus, who was sitting next to him on stage.

The two men have reportedly been competing for influence and power in the West Wing, but it was clear very early on that Mr Bannon has come out on top of that particular battle.

He mischievously referred to Mr Priebus' cozy office fireplace and sofa in comparison to his own "war room".

Although the rest of the appearance was mutually respectful and complimentary, that small exchange revealed Mr Bannon's true opinion of his colleague - and of himself.

Mr Bannon is a brawler in possession of a fine mind and a coherent world view.

He is contemptuous of the old order and the establishment that scaffolds it... Mr Priebus included.

Many find Mr Bannon terrifying - particularly given his relationship to the right wing Breitbart website.

But others will have drawn great comfort from the CPAC appearance, knowing for certain now that there is a radical conservative presence in the Oval Office, hell-bent on moulding America through the lens of nationalism.