Bill Kristol, editor-at-large of the Weekly Standard, said on Saturday that the “battle of Bannon” is over after the ouster of chief strategist Steve Bannon, and expressed hope that John Kelly and H.R. McMaster will “run” the White House.
“Stephen Bannon is no longer a senior official of the government of the United States,” Kristol, a longtime critic of Trump, said in a tweet bearing the hashtag “#MakingAmericaGreatAgain.”
Stephen Bannon is no longer a senior official of the government of the United States.#MakingAmericaGreatAgain
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) August 19, 2017
He added that Kelly, the chief of staff, and McMaster, the national security adviser, now have an opportunity to rein in Trump.
“The hope (destined to be to some degree forlorn) of all reasonable people: Kelly and McMaster run the White House,” Bannon said, adding “Trump only lives there.”
The hope (destined to be to some degree forlorn) of all reasonable people: Kelly and McMaster run the White House; Trump only lives there.
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) August 19, 2017
Bannon, along with his right-wing allies, notably had clashed with McMaster during his time in the White House. Allies of Bannon had come to aid his cause by pushing damaging stories about his opponents like McMaster, including labeling them as leakers.
In a statement reminiscent of a Lord of the Rings quote, Kristol said, “The battle of Bannon is over. The battle of Trump is about to begin.”
“Upon this battle depends the well-being of our constitutional republic,” he added.
The battle of Bannon is over. The battle of Trump is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the well-being of our constitutional republic.
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) August 19, 2017
Earlier in the month, Kristol said he has initiated informal talks about creating a “Committee Not to Renominate the President.”
Editor’s note: The Washington Examiner and the Weekly Standard are owned by the same parent company, Clarity Media Group.
