President Trump offered an enthusiastic thank you to Steve Bannon for serving in his campaign and White House on Saturday, one day after the chief strategist parted ways with the administration.
“I want to thank Steve Bannon for his service,” Trump tweeted early in the morning. “He came to the campaign during my run against Crooked Hillary Clinton – it was great! Thanks S.”
I want to thank Steve Bannon for his service. He came to the campaign during my run against Crooked Hillary Clinton – it was great! Thanks S
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2017
The move was revealed on Friday, about one year after Bannon left Breitbart News in 2016 to join Trump’s campaign to serve as CEO.
Hours later, Bannon returned to Breitbart News as executive chairman.
Bannon brought his populist signature to Trump’s brand, which helped energize Trump’s base.
Vice President Mike Pence also offered his thanks to Bannon in a tweet of his own.
Steve served @POTUS Trump with distinction. I value his friendship and contributions. Thank you, Steve! https://t.co/RohO1GO70c
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) August 19, 2017
Bannon’s ouster Friday came after he gave several on-the-record interviews, in which he defended the president’s stances on Confederate monument preservation following a violent weekend protest in Charlottesville, Va.
Bannon reportedly told journalist Joshua Green that he is “going to war” for Trump to take on his opponents “on Capitol Hill, in the media, and in corporate America.”
In a separate interview with the Weekly Standard, Bannon said, “The Trump presidency that we fought for, and won, is over.” He added that there will be “all kinds of fights” moving forward.
