Steve Bannon

Image of Steve Bannon by Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons.

Stephen (Steve) K. Bannon

Credentials

Background

Steve Bannon is the former Chief Strategist and Senior Counselor to President Trump, a role that BBC news wrote gave him a “direct line to President Trump.” Trump initially appointed Bannon as campaign CEO in August, 2016, and then appointed him to the White House position following his victory. Bannon was dismissed from his White House position in August, 2017.4 (Press Release). “President-Elect Donald J. Trump Announces Senior White House Leadership Team,” GreatAgain, November 13, 2016. Archived March 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/mNNEx 5Steve Bannon: Who is Trump’s key adviser? BBC News, February 6, 2017. Archived February 28, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/JEnbs 6 Maggie Haberman. “Stephen Bannon Out at the White House After Turbulent Run,” The New York Times, August 18, 2017. Archived August 18, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/lSyn8

Bannon was formerly the Executive Chair of Breitbart News, a far-right news website that Bannon described in 2016 as the “the platform for the alt-right.” He took a leave of absence from Breitbart while working on Trump’s campaign, and after Trump’s election announced his resignation.7Breitbart News Corporate Statement on Stephen K. Bannon,” Breitbart News, August 17, 2016. Archived March 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/7LkCQ 8 David Bauder. “Editor: Breitbart plans to be ‘best place for news on Trump’,” AP, November 14, 2016. Archived March 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/0HMIR

After losing his position in the Trump administration, Bannon announced he would return to Breitbart. “I’ve got my hands back on my weapons,” Bannon told the Weekly Standard. “I am definitely going to crush the opposition. There’s no doubt. I built a f***ing machine at Breitbart. And now I’m about to go back, knowing what I know, and we’re about to rev that machine up. And rev it up we will do.” On January 9, 2018, Bannon announced he would be stepping down from Breitbart News reportedly forced by onetime patron Rebekah Mercer and after remarks attributed to Bannon in a new book questioning President Trump’s mental fitness.9Steve Bannon returns to Breitbart: ‘I’ve got my hands back on my weapons’,” The Guardian, August 19, 2017. Archived August 23, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/OfQJM 10Bannon: ‘The Trump Presidency That We Fought For, and Won, Is Over.’” The Weekly Standard, August 18, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/IES6u 11 Jeremy W. Peters. “Steve Bannon Steps Down From Breitbart Post,” The New York Times, January 9, 2018. Archived January 9, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/5IUcM 12 Peter Baker. “After Trump Seeks to Block Book, Publisher Hastens Release,” The New York Times, January 4, 2018. Archived January 10, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/hMAPy

Bannon worked at Goldman Sachs as an investment banker after serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy for seven years. In 1990, Bannon & Co., a boutique investment bank specializing in media. He briefly worked in the entertainment business, obtaining stakes in five television shows including Seinfeld.13 Mark D. Faram. “Trump’s controversial new adviser promoted conservatism even in the Navy,” MilitaryTimes, August 20, 2016. Archived March 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/nJJjI 14 Joshua Green. “This Man Is the Most Dangerous Political Operative in America,” Bloomberg, October 8, 2015. Archived March 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/sHoKR

After selling off Bannon & Co., he briefly worked as an executive producer of movies including Anthony Hopkins’s 1999 Oscar-nominated Titus. He produced a number of movies including a documentary on Ronald Reagan titled In the Face of Evil, as well as Fire from the Heartland: The Awakening of the Conservative Woman, The Undefeated (on Sarah Palin), and Occupy Unmasked.15 Mark D. Faram. “Trump’s controversial new adviser promoted conservatism even in the Navy,” MilitaryTimes, August 20, 2016. Archived March 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/nJJjI 16 Joshua Green. “This Man Is the Most Dangerous Political Operative in America,” Bloomberg, October 8, 2015. Archived March 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/sHoKR

Bannon is the Executive Chairman and co-founder of The Government Accountability Institute (GAI), a conservative nonprofit investigative research organization that conducted research for the 2015 book Clinton Cash and received significant funding from the Mercer Foundation (Rebekah Mercer is also a GAI board member). GAI maintains ties to a range of conservative groups including Citizens United, the American Conservative Union, Young America’s Foundation, and the Hoover Institution, through its key staff and board members.17 “Form 990 Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax: GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY INSTITUTE” (PDF), Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved from DocumentCloud. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. 18Government Accountability Institute,” SourceWatch. Accessed March 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/XH2TQ

Breitbart News

When Andrew Breitbart passed away in 2012, Steve Bannon took over as the head of Breitbart News, a group Bannon described as “virulently anti-establishment, particularly ‘anti-‘ the permanent political class.”19Steve Bannon: Who is Trump’s key adviser? BBC News, February 6, 2017. Archived February 28, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/JEnbs

“We call ourselves ‘the Fight Club.’ You don’t come to us for warm and fuzzy,” Bannon told The Washington Post.20 Paul Farhi. “How Breitbart has become a dominant voice in conservative media,” The Washington Post, January 27, 2016. Archived February 28, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/yoex0

Breitbart was supportive of Trump in the election, with one November 2015 piece calling him the “John Wayne” of politics, saying “we should thank God that Trump is in this race. […] He will set back the destruction of America.”21Robert Davi: Donald Trump is the John Wayne of Politics,” Breitbart, November 30, 2015. Archived February 28, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/1RIsG

Breitbart as been accused of becoming a mouthpiece for the alternative right, or “alt-right.” A March, 2016 Breitbart column described the movement as having “a youthful energy and jarring, taboo-defying rhetoric.” The Southern Poverty Law Centre called it “a loose set of far-right ideologies” with the preservation of “white identity” at its core.22 Album Bokhara and Milo Yiannopoulos. “An Establishment Conservative’s Guide To The Alt-Right,” Breitbart, March 29, 2016. Archived February 28, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/ugLTz 23Steve Bannon: Who is Trump’s key adviser? BBC News, February 6, 2017. Archived February 28, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/JEnbs

Bannon himself, when interviewed by Sarah Posner of Mother Jones at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in July 2016, said ”We’re the platform for the alt-right.24 Sarah Posner. “How Donald Trump’s New Campaign Chief Created an Online Haven for White Nationalists,” Mother Jones, August 22, 2016. Archived March 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/cYSgS

Former Breitbart editor-at-large Ben Shapiro, who had quit the news site “when it became clear to me that they had decided that loyalty to Donald Trump outweighed loyalty to their own employees.” Shapiro wrote in The Daily Wire:25 Ben Shapiro. “I Know Trump’s New Campaign Chairman, Steve Bannon. Here’s What You Need To Know.” The Daily Wire, August 17, 2016. Archived March 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/NMKJv

“Andrew Breitbart despised racism. Truly despised it. With Bannon embracing Trump, all that changed. Now Breitbart has become the alt-right go-to website, with [technology editor Milo] Yiannopoulos pushing white ethno-nationalism as a legitimate response to political correctness, and the comment section turning into a cesspool for white supremacist mememakers.”26 Ben Shapiro. “I Know Trump’s New Campaign Chairman, Steve Bannon. Here’s What You Need To Know.” The Daily Wire, August 17, 2016. Archived March 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/NMKJv

MediaMatters reported that Breitbart Editor James Delingpole has called NOAA scientists “Talentless low-lives who cannot be trusted,” while most scientists, businesses, and politicians supporting action on climate change are “abject liars.” Delingpole went as far as calling climate action advocates “eco nazis,” “eco fascists,” and “scum-sucking slime balls.” He also cited studies from the industry-funded Heartland Institute to claim that “global warming is good” and “co2 is our friend.”27 Denise Robbins. “Before Joining Trump White House, Steve Bannon Ran A Website That Viciously Attacked Climate Scientists,” Media Matters, November 15, 2016. Archived March 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Bo3Of

MediaMatters also documented some of the most outrageous headlines that appeared on Breitbart News during Bannon’s tenure there:28Breitbart News’ Worst Headlines,” Media Matters, August 17, 2016. Archived March 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/GTksY

  • “Bill Kristol: Republican Spoiler, Renegade Jew”
  • “World Health Organization Report: Trannies 49 xs Higher HIV Rate
  • “Big Trans Hate Machine Targets Pitching Great Curl Schilling
  • “Sympathy for the Devlis: The Plot Against Roger Allies—And America”
  • “There’s No Hiring Bias against Women in Tech, They Just Suck at Interviews”
  • “Gabby Giffords: The Gun Control Movement’s Human Shield”
  • “Planned Parenthood’s Body Count Under Cecile Richards Is up to Half a Holocaust”
  • “Birth Control Makes Women Unattractive and Crazy”
  • “Physician: Mainstream Media ‘Strangely Silent’ About Hillary Clinton’s Health”
  • “Roger Stone: Huma Abedin ‘Most Likely a Saudi Spy’ with ‘Deep, Inarguable Connections’ to ‘Global Terrorist Entity’”
  • “How Donald Trump made it Cool to be Gay Again”
  • “Lesbian Bridezillas Bully Bridal Shop Owner over Religious Beliefs”
  • “After the Pulse Club Massacre, it’s Time for Gays to Come Home to Republican Party”
  • “The Solution to Online ‘Harassment’ Is Simple: Women Should Logg off”
  • “Hillary Clinton’s Muslim Brotherhood Problem”
  • “Teenage Boys with Tits: Here’s My Problem with Ghostbusters”
  • “Exclusive—Kimberly Guilfoyle Blows up Gretchen Carlson’s Allegations against Roger Ailes: ‘The Truth Should Matter”
  • “Trump 100% Vindicated: CBS Reports ‘Swarm’ on Rooftops Celebrating 9/11”
  • “Donald Trump Praises Breitbart’s Washington Political Editor Matthew Boyle: ‘Very Good Reporter’”
  • “Data: Young Muslims in the West Are a Ticking Time Bomb, Increasingly Sympathizing with Radicals, Terror”
  • “Racist, Pro-Nazi Roots of Planned Parenthood Revealed”
  • “Breitbart News Posts Factual Headline About ‘Race War’ Double Murder, Internet Melts Down”
  • “NAACP Joins Soros Army Plotting DC Disruptions, Civil Disobedience, Mass Arrests”
  • “Exclusive—Donald Trump Plans to Continue GOP Legacy of Leading on Women’s, Civil Rights against Racist, Sexists Democrats”
  • “6 Reasons Pamela Geller’s Muhammad Cartoon Contest Is No Different from Selma”

Mercer Family Connection

The Mercer family provided the initial $10 million to help Steve Bannon start up Breitbart News. Since then, the site has become very successful, outdoing the Huffington Post, and ranking as the 29th most popular site in America, The Guardian reported.29 Carole Cadwalladr. “Robert Mercer: the big data billionaire waging war on mainstream media,” The Guardian, February 26, 2017. Archived February 28, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/EA2XE

Rebekah Mercer is a funder and board member of the Government Accountability Institute (GAI), a conservative nonprofit investigative research organization founded by Peter Schweizer and Steve Bannon.30 Joshua Green and Zachary Mider. “New Super-PAC Launches for Donors Who Won’t Back Trump But Loathe Clinton,” Bloomberg, June 21, 2016. Archived February 27, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/qcEDG

Stance on Climate Change

November 2016

E&E News reported on how Steve Bannon might shape Donald Trump’s views on climate change, noting how the Breitbart News Network has handled climate change coverage:31 Erika Solstad. “How Steve Bannon is shaping Trump’s views on ‘climate change’,” E&E News, November 18, 2016. Archived March 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/9L3kE

“Climate change” isn’t real in the Breitbart News Network, and often, though not exclusively, appears in scare quotes, as does “global warming.” NOAA and NASA are full of fraudulent scientists peddling a “cynical exploitation of mass crowd hysteria,” according to Bannon’s chief climate change columnist, and wind turbines are “bat-chomping, bird-slicing eco-crucifixes,” E&E News reported.32 Erika Solstad. “How Steve Bannon is shaping Trump’s views on ‘climate change’,” E&E News, November 18, 2016. Archived March 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/9L3kE

The noted climate change skeptic James Delingpole, who Bannon hired to run Breitbart’s office in Britain as Executive Editor, wrote in The Spectator:33 James Delingpole. “It’s tough being the only British journalist who’s right about everything,” The Spectator, November 19, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/QvHwM

“One of his [Bannon’s] pet peeves is the great climate-change con. It’s partly why he recruited a notorious skeptic like myself.”34 James Delingpole. “It’s tough being the only British journalist who’s right about everything,” The Spectator, November 19, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/QvHwM

“Basically,” Delingpole added, “we won.”35 James Delingpole. “It’s tough being the only British journalist who’s right about everything,” The Spectator, November 19, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/QvHwM

December 2, 2015

While hosting the December 2, 2015 edition of the SiriusXM radio show Breitbart News Daily, Bannon declared that the Pope has “fallen into this hysteria” about climate change. Pope Francis’s encyclical on the environment calls for reduced fossil fuel use in order to help the world’s poor.36Breitbart News Daily – Dr. Thomas D. Williams – December 2, 2015,” Breitbart via Soundcloud, December 2, 2015. Archive .mp3 on file at DeSmog.

In the radio show, Bannon interviewed theologist Thomas D. Williams on the encyclical. Bannon said “a lot of practicing Catholics” were “quite confused” by the encyclical, and stated to Williams:

“You mentioned the fact that he has got advisers around him that really crafted this message and the Pontifical Academy of Sciences has been overrun by what you call cultural Marxists.”37Breitbart News Daily – Dr. Thomas D. Williams – December 2, 2015,” Breitbart via Soundcloud, December 2, 2015. Archive .mp3 on file at DeSmog.

Williams responded that the Pope’s encyclical is “closely aligned to a redistributionist mentality” and about poorer countries “looking for handouts under the guise” of reducing carbon emissions, to which Bannon replied:38Breitbart News Daily – Dr. Thomas D. Williams – December 2, 2015,” Breitbart via Soundcloud, December 2, 2015. Archive .mp3 on file at DeSmog.

“Yes. That’s the climate justice.”39Breitbart News Daily – Dr. Thomas D. Williams – December 2, 2015,” Breitbart via Soundcloud, December 2, 2015. Archive .mp3 on file at DeSmog.

2010

In a 2010 speech at a Tea Party event in New York City, Bannon said global warming was a “manufactured crisis” (starting at [4:38] in his speech), Quartz reported:40 Gwynn Guilford and Nikhil Sonnad. “What Steve Bannon really wants,” Quartz, February 3, 2017. Archived March 2, 2017. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/rdDPt

“The accumulated debt in all levels of our society pose an immediate, existential threat to America. […] Now, unlike the manufactured crisis of global warming and healthcare, this is a true crisis.”41 Gwynn Guilford and Nikhil Sonnad. “What Steve Bannon really wants,” Quartz, February 3, 2017. Archived March 2, 2017. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/rdDPt

1995

In a 1995 interview for C-SPAN about Biosphere 2, as Mother Jones noted, while he was consulting for the project Bannon seems to support climate change concerns:42Steve Bannon and Biosphere 2 Steve Bannon and the Biosphere 2 project,” C-SPAN, August 26, 2016. 43 Tim Murphy. “Trump’s Campaign CEO Ran a Secretive Sci-Fi Project in the Arizona Desert,” Mother Jones, August 26, 2016. Archived March 2, 2017. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/TIGLm

“A lot of the scientists who are studying global change and studying the effects of greenhouse gases, many of them feel that the Earth’s atmosphere in 100 years is what Biosphere 2’s atmosphere is today,” Bannon explained. “We have extraordinarily high CO2, we have very high nitrous oxide, we have high methane. And we have lower oxygen content. So the power of this place is allowing those scientists who are really involved in the study of global change, and which, in the outside world or Biosphere 1, really have to work with just computer simulation, this actually allows them to study and monitor the impact of enhanced CO2 and other greenhouse gases on humans, plants, and animals.”44Steve Bannon and Biosphere 2 Steve Bannon and the Biosphere 2 project,” C-SPAN, August 26, 2016. 45 Tim Murphy. “Trump’s Campaign CEO Ran a Secretive Sci-Fi Project in the Arizona Desert,” Mother Jones, August 26, 2016. Archived March 2, 2017. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/TIGLm

Key Quotes

May 31, 2016

The following are excerpts from a Radio interview for Breitbart’s radio program on Sirius XM Patriot where Bannon questioned Trump economic adviser, Stephen Moore of the Heritage Foundation, who had just published a book, Fueling Freedom: Exposing the Mad War on Energy. InsideClimateNews reported that the interview also gave a look at Bannon’s views on energy policy:46 “Steve Bannon’s Trip From Climate Conspiracy Theorist to Trump’s White House,” InsideClimate News, November 16, 2016. Archived May 2, 2016. Archived .mp3 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/j2qaR

“We could be energy independent,” Bannon said in the interview. “There is an American renaissance, and an industrial renaissance in front of us, if we can just get the government out of our way.”47 “Steve Bannon’s Trip From Climate Conspiracy Theorist to Trump’s White House,” InsideClimate News, November 16, 2016. Archived May 2, 2016. Archived .mp3 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/j2qaR

“Whether you believe in alternative energy or not, one thing we can tell you for a fact—whether it works or not, that’s all to be seen in the progress of time—it’s up to its neck in crony capitalism,” said Bannon. “The venture capital guys getting bailed out, the private equity guys getting bailed out, subsidies for these things.48 “Steve Bannon’s Trip From Climate Conspiracy Theorist to Trump’s White House,” InsideClimate News, November 16, 2016. Archived May 2, 2016. Archived .mp3 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/j2qaR

“Why [have] the Republicans not had a more full-throated saying, ‘No, we’re just going to shut this stuff down. We don’t care if the president vetoes it or not, but we’re not going to fund this continual madness?’49 “Steve Bannon’s Trip From Climate Conspiracy Theorist to Trump’s White House,” InsideClimate News, November 16, 2016. Archived May 2, 2016. Archived .mp3 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/j2qaR

“And by the way it is madness, at least according to your book, this alternative energy which really tries to compete with dollars for fossil fuel,” Bannon said to Moore.50 “Steve Bannon’s Trip From Climate Conspiracy Theorist to Trump’s White House,” InsideClimate News, November 16, 2016. Archived May 2, 2016. Archived .mp3 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/j2qaR

Moore countered by saying, “I’m not against renewable energy. I’m just against taxpayer subsidies.”51 “Steve Bannon’s Trip From Climate Conspiracy Theorist to Trump’s White House,” InsideClimate News, November 16, 2016. Archived May 2, 2016. Archived .mp3 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/j2qaR

November 12, 2013

Speaking with The Daily Beast’s Ronald Radish at a book party held in his Capitol Hill townhouse on Nov. 12, 2013, Bannon said:52 Ronald Radish. “Steve Bannon, Trump’s Top Guy, Told Me He Was ‘A Leninist’ Who Wants To ‘Destroy the State’,” The Daily Beast, August 21, 2016. Archived February 28, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/tWGnC

“Lenin wanted to destroy the state, and that’s my goal too. I want to bring everything crashing down, and destroy all of today’s establishment.”53 Ronald Radish. “Steve Bannon, Trump’s Top Guy, Told Me He Was ‘A Leninist’ Who Wants To ‘Destroy the State’,” The Daily Beast, August 21, 2016. Archived February 28, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/tWGnC

Key Deeds

January 2018

Bannon stepped down from his position as executive chairman of Breitbart News. Bannon’s moved followed criticism from President Donald Trump, after statements Bannon reportedly made about Trump and the Trump family in a new book. Bannon reportedly had asserted that Donald Trump Jr. had been “treasonous” in meeting with Russians and calling Ivanka Trump “dumb as a brick.” President Donald Trump replied that Bannon had “lost his mind.” In a written statement, Trump said that Bannon had “very little to do with our historic victory” in the 2016 election, and was “only in it for himself.”54 Jeremy W. Peters. “Steve Bannon Steps Down From Breitbart Post,” The New York Times, January 9, 2018. Archived January 10, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/5IUcM

According to the full written statement, republished at CNN, Trump said:55Read Trump’s official statement about Steve Bannon,” CNN, January 3, 2018. Archived January 10, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/JSVb5

“Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my Presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind. Steve was a staffer who worked for me after I had already won the nomination by defeating seventeen candidates, often described as the most talented field ever assembled in the Republican Party.

“Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isn’t as easy as I make it look. Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country. Yet Steve had everything to do with the loss of a Senate seat in Alabama held for more than thirty years by Republicans. Steve doesn’t represent my base — he’s only in it for himself.

“Steve pretends to be at war with the media, which he calls the opposition party, yet he spent his time at the White House leaking false information to the media to make himself seem far more important than he was. It is the only thing he does well. Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books.

“We have many great Republican members of Congress and candidates who are very supportive of the Make America Great Again agenda. Like me, they love the United States of America and are helping to finally take our country back and build it up, rather than simply seeking to burn it all down.”

After the excerpts from Bannon in Michael Wolff’s new book, Fire and Fury, mega-donor Rebekah Mercer publicly rebuked Bannon for his reported statements about the president.56 Rosalind S. Helderman. “Mercer issues rare public rebuke of former ally Bannon,” The Washington Post, January 4, 2018. Archived January 10, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Kj734

“I support President Trump and the platform upon which he was elected,” Rebekah Mercer said. “My family and I have not communicated with Steve Bannon in many months and have provided no financial support to his political agenda, nor do we support his recent actions and statements.”

November 21, 2017

Speaking with The Daily Caller’s Michael Bastasch, the Heartland Institute’s CEO Joseph Bast described Bannon as “an important channel for us [Heartland] to the White House.” Bast added that “It’s changed with Steve Bannon leaving.” According to Bastasch, Bannon and Bast regularly talked about executive orders to combat climate policies and urging Trump to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement.57 Michael Bastasch. “The Real Story Behind The Heartland Institute’s Role In The Trump Admin,” The Daily Caller. November 21, 2017. Archived November 28, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/tCDXt

November 2017

According to The Guardian’s analysis of The “Paradise Papers,” a trove of millions of leaked documents detailing information on offshore accounts, Bannon’s “Clinton Cash” was partially funded by offshore money. Mercer was director of eight Bermuda companies listed in the papers.58 Jon Swaine. “Offshore cash helped fund Steve Bannon’s attacks on Hillary Clinton,” The Guardian, November 7, 2017. Archived November 7, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/df1bt

The Guardian outlined how the Bermuda companies “appear to have been used to legally avoid a little-known US tax of up to 39% on tens of millions of dollars in investment profits amassed by the Mercer family’s foundation, which funded Bannon’s book [Clinton Cash] and a who’s who of conservative groups, along with a $475m retirement fund for the staff of Mercer’s hedge fund, Renaissance Technologies.”59 Jon Swaine. “Offshore cash helped fund Steve Bannon’s attacks on Hillary Clinton,” The Guardian, November 7, 2017. Archived November 7, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/df1bt

August 22, 2017

Climate change denier Marc Morano, speaking with Ezra Levant at The Rebel, described Bannon’s departure from the White House as a major loss for climate change deniers.60Marc Morano: Bannon’s departure ‘bad news for climate skeptics‘,” The Rebel, August 22, 2017. Archived August 24, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/KL2st

Morano: “We’ve lost a major voice. Now, you’re right, Scott Pruitt’s a great voice. Energy Secretary Rick Perry has been a great voice, but it doesn’t change the fact we’ve lost a major skeptic in the White House with influence and power. You guys remember, personnel is power.”61Marc Morano: Bannon’s departure ‘bad news for climate skeptics‘,” The Rebel, August 22, 2017. Archived August 24, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/KL2st

Levant: “That’s a good point. And, as you they say, personnel is policy as well. […]”62Marc Morano: Bannon’s departure ‘bad news for climate skeptics‘,” The Rebel, August 22, 2017. Archived August 24, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/KL2st

Morano also described his experience while working in the U.S. Senate for Senator James Inhofe. Morano said that he was told by members of his own staff in the Environment & Public Works Committee to “lay off” of pushing climate change skepticism because it was affecting their ability to get jobs, “because Inhofe was being painted as an extremist for denying global warming.”63Marc Morano: Bannon’s departure ‘bad news for climate skeptics‘,” The Rebel, August 22, 2017. Archived August 24, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/KL2st

“It matters. People don’t want to stand up to the Washington establishment because it means jobs, it means money, it means reputation. And that is why the loss of someone like Bannon has a big impact.”64Marc Morano: Bannon’s departure ‘bad news for climate skeptics‘,” The Rebel, August 22, 2017. Archived August 24, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/KL2st

August 18, 2017

A White House spokesperson announced that Bannon would be leaving his position at the White House, The New York Times reported.65 Maggie Haberman. “Stephen Bannon Out at the White House After Turbulent Run,” The New York Times, August 18, 2017. Archived August 18, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/lSyn8

“White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Steve Bannon have mutually agreed today would be Steve’s last day,” the White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, said in a statement. “We are grateful for his service and wish him the best.”66 Maggie Haberman. “Stephen Bannon Out at the White House After Turbulent Run,” The New York Times, August 18, 2017. Archived August 18, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/lSyn8

According to the Times, Bannon’s critics called for so-called nationalists working in the West Wing to be fired after outrage regarding Trump’s insistence that “both sides” were to blame for the violent events in Charlottesville. Trump previously said that he refused to guarantee Bannon’s job security, however defended him as “not a racist” and “a friend.”67 Maggie Haberman. “Stephen Bannon Out at the White House After Turbulent Run,” The New York Times, August 18, 2017. Archived August 18, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/lSyn8 68 Mark Landler. “Trump Says Bannon Is ‘Not a Racist,’ but His Job Status Remains in Doubt,” The New York Times, August 15, 2017. Archived August 18, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/mjMZW

Axios reported that Bannon would return to Breitbart News.69Bannon is back at Breitbart,” Axios, August 18, 2017. Archived August 18, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/uNyS7

“He’s going back to Breitbart News […] he plans to go ‘thermonuclear’ is the word they’re using against the more moderate elements of the White House, the ones that have come to be known as the globalists, the president’s economic advisor Gary Cohn,” Axios Executive Editor Mike Allen told CNBC.70 Michelle Fox. “Steve Bannon plans to go ‘thermonuclear’ on White House officials: Axios,” CNBC, August 18, 2017. Archived August 18, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/8GV5c

Hours after Bannon’s departure became public, Breitbart announced the return of their “populist hero.71 “’Populist Hero’ Stephen K. Bannon Returns Home to Breitbart,” Breitbarti, August 18, 2017. Archived August 22, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/BR4dc

“The populist-nationalist movement got a lot stronger today,” said Breitbart News Editor-in-Chief Alex Marlow. “Breitbart gained an executive chairman with his finger on the pulse of the Trump agenda.”

Speaking with the Weekly Standard, Bannon said that his departure from the Trump Administration had been voluntary:

“On August 7th , I talked to [Chief of Staff John] Kelly and to the President, and I told them that my resignation would be effective the following Monday, on the 14th,” he said. “I’d always planned on spending one year. General Kelly has brought in a great new system, but I said it would be best. I want to get back to Breitbart.”

Bannon also told the Standard that his departure had been slightly delayed due to events in Charlottesville.

“I’ve got my hands back on my weapons […] I am definitely going to crush the opposition. There’s no doubt. I built a f***ing machine at Breitbart. And now I’m about to go back, knowing what I know, and we’re about to rev that machine up. And rev it up we will do.”72Steve Bannon returns to Breitbart: ‘I’ve got my hands back on my weapons’,” The Guardian, August 19, 2017. Archived August 23, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/OfQJM 73Bannon: ‘The Trump Presidency That We Fought For, and Won, Is Over.’” The Weekly Standard, August 18, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/IES6u

Bannon also spoke with Bloomberg News after his departure from the White House:74 Joshua Green, Justin Sink, and Margaret Talev. “Bannon Says He’s ‘Going to War for Trump’ After White House Exit,” Bloomberg, August 18, 2017. Archived August 23, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/jaONW

“If there’s any confusion out there, let me clear it up: 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.”

Bloomberg also noted that Bannon had met with hedge-fund billionaire Robert Mercer to discuss future plans.

March/April, 2017

The New York Times reported that Bannon’s financial statements, among disclosures by Trump administration staff members, revealed that he had received more than $1 million from the conservative network that included at least $500,000 from entities connected Robert Mercer and Rebekah Mercer.75 Steve Eder, Eric Lipton and Andrew W. Lehren. “Trump Aides’ Disclosures Reveal Surge in Lucrative Political Work,” The New York Times, April 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Bodku 76Who’s Worth What at the White House: The Financial Disclosures,The New York Times, March 31, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/qER9c

In addition to the $191,000 Bannon recieved from Breitbart News, he also received $125,333 from Cambridge Analytica, the data firm that worked for Trump’s campaign and whhich also had major backing to the Mercers.77 Michael Kranish. “Trump’s plan for a comeback includes building a ‘psychographic’ profile of every voter,” The Washington Post, October 27, 2016. Archived March 8, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/EYVr3

February 23, 2017

Steve Bannon made a public appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), The Guardian reported via Reuters. Bannon criticized the mainstream media for misrepresenting Donald Trump, See video below.78Bannon scorns media in rare public appearance at CPAC – video,” The Guardian, February 23, 2017. Archived February 27, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/iqdRE

“If you think they’re going to give you your country back without a fight, you’re sadly mistaken,” Bannon told the crowd. “The mainstream media better understand something: all of those promises are going to be implemented,” he concluded.79Bannon scorns media in rare public appearance at CPAC – video,” The Guardian, February 23, 2017. Archived February 27, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/iqdRE

January, 2017

An executive order by Donald Trump formally have Steve Bannon a seat on the National Security Council’s principals committee. Bannon held that position unitl April 5, 2017, when Trump reorganized his National Security Council. The same executive order removed the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the director of national intelligence, and the secretary of energy.80 Julian Borger and Spencer Ackerman. “Steve Bannon’s role in inner circle of Trump team raises fears of security crisis,” The Guardian, January 31, 2017. Archived February 28, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/yS1PP 81 Jennifer Jacobs. “Bannon Taken Off Trump National Security Council in Shake-Up,” Bloomberg, April 5, 2017. Archived April 5, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/zy9qN

“Their new diminished role is not unprecedented, but some still find it a troubling piece of this larger picture,” Foreign Policy (FP) wrote.82 Kate Brannen. “Steve Bannon Is Making Sure There’s No White House Paper Trail, Says Intel Source,” Foreign Policy, January 30, 2017. Archived February 28, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/NbyVb

FP reported that, even before he was given the seat, Bannon had been making decisions with little input from the National Security Council staff.83 Kate Brannen. “Steve Bannon Is Making Sure There’s No White House Paper Trail, Says Intel Source,” Foreign Policy, January 30, 2017. Archived February 28, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/NbyVb

“He is running a cabal, almost like a shadow NSC,” an intelligence official said. “They ran all of these executive orders outside of the normal construct,” he added.84 Kate Brannen. “Steve Bannon Is Making Sure There’s No White House Paper Trail, Says Intel Source,” Foreign Policy, January 30, 2017. Archived February 28, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/NbyVb

November 15, 2016

Donald Trump appointed Steve Bannon as his chief strategist. Democrats rejected the appointment, and demanded that President-elect Donald Trump rescind the appointment, Politico reported.85 Nolan D. McCaskill. “Democrats demand that Trump rescind Bannon appointment,Politico, November 15, 2016. Archived March 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/shDxW

Bannon “in the White House is a major mistake,” Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy said. “Instead of bringing the country together, it condones intolerance, hate and disinformation.”86 Nolan D. McCaskill. “Democrats demand that Trump rescind Bannon appointment,Politico, November 15, 2016. Archived March 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/shDxW

“We call on President-elect Trump to exclude the proponents of discrimination and hatred from the ranks of his administration, and that includes immediately firing Steve Bannon as his chief strategist,” said Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley.87 Nolan D. McCaskill. “Democrats demand that Trump rescind Bannon appointment,Politico, November 15, 2016. Archived March 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/shDxW

“Quite frankly,” Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono said, “it’s sad that we are having a debate about whether a white supremacist should serve as a senior counselor to the president-elect.”88 Nolan D. McCaskill. “Democrats demand that Trump rescind Bannon appointment,Politico, November 15, 2016. Archived March 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/shDxW

August 17, 2016

Mr Trump appointed Bannon as campaign CEO in August 2016, The New York Times reported.89 Jonathan Martin, Jim Gutenberg, and Magie Habermas. “Donald Trump Appoints Media Firebrand to Run Campaign,” The New York Times, August 17, 2016. Archived .pdf one ill at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Mao3c

Critics spoke out against Bannon’s appointment by Donald Trump, arguing that as head of Breitbart News he had “helped propel a divisive strain of white nationalism,” wrote the Financial Times.90 Demetria Sevastopulo and Sam Fleming. “Trump appointment of Bannon raises ‘white nationalist’ fears,” Financial Times, November 14, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/fZ0hj

The racist, fascist extreme right is represented footsteps from the Oval Office. Be very vigilant America,” tweeted John Weaver, a Republican strategist.91 Demetria Sevastopulo and Sam Fleming. “Trump appointment of Bannon raises ‘white nationalist’ fears,” Financial Times, November 14, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/fZ0hj

The Southern Poverty Law Center accused Bannon of being the “main driver behind Breitbart becoming a white ethno-nationalist propaganda mill.” The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) also opposed Bannon’s appointment.92 Demetria Sevastopulo and Sam Fleming. “Trump appointment of Bannon raises ‘white nationalist’ fears,” Financial Times, November 14, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/fZ0hj 93Steve Bannon: Who is Trump’s key adviser? BBC News, February 6, 2017. Archived February 28, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/JEnbs

“It is easy to see why the KKK (Ku Klux Klan) views Trump as their champion when Trump appoints one of the foremost peddlers of white supremacist themes and rhetoric as his top aide,” Adam Jentleson, spokesman for Senate Democrat Harry Reid, said in a statement.94Steve Bannon: Who is Trump’s key adviser? BBC News, February 6, 2017. Archived February 28, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/JEnbs

David Duke, former Ku Klux Klan leader, also praised Bannon’s appointment:95 Andrew Kaczynski and Chris Massie. “White nationalists see advocate in Steve Bannon who will hold Trump to his campaign promises,” CNN, November 15, 2016. Archived February 28, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/AfMmt

“You have an individual, Mr Bannon, who’s basically creating the ideological aspects of where we’re going,” he told CNN. “And ideology ultimately is the most important aspect of any government.”96 Andrew Kaczynski and Chris Massie. “White nationalists see advocate in Steve Bannon who will hold Trump to his campaign promises,” CNN, November 15, 2016. Archived February 28, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/AfMmt

August 17, 2016

The Washington Post reported that Rebekah Mercer played a key role in introducing Stephen Bannon to Donald Trump at a fundraising event:97 Robert Costa, Jose A. DelReal, and Jenna Johnson. “Trump shakes up campaign, demotes top adviser,” The Washington Post, August 17, 2016. Archived February 27, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/9SnjF

“According to three Republicans familiar with that event, Trump was confronted by several supporters there, including mega-donor Rebekah Mercer, about news reports on his advisers’ desire to tame his personality” The Washington Post reported. “Trump was visibly infuriated at the news stories, the Republicans said, and he conferred with Mercer about potential steps he might take to remake his campaign and populate his inner circle with voices more like his own. Bannon’s name soon came up.”98 Robert Costa, Jose A. DelReal, and Jenna Johnson. “Trump shakes up campaign, demotes top adviser,” The Washington Post, August 17, 2016. Archived February 27, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/9SnjF

July 10, 2016

Writing at Breitbart, Bannon accused the “Left” of a “plot to take down America” by a focus on police shootings of black citizens. He argued that police officers slain in Dallas were murdered “by a #BlackLivesMatter-type activist-turned-sniper.” He accused the mainstream media of a “bait-and-switch as reporters and their Democratic allies and mentors seek to twist the subject from topics they don’t like to discuss—murderers with evil motives—to topics they do like to discuss, such as gun control.”99 Stephen K. Bannon. “Sympathy for the Devils: The Plot Against Roger Ailes — and America,” Breitbart, July 10, 2016. Archived March 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/vTggZ

May 5, 2015

The Government Accountability Institute (GAI), a conservative nonprofit investigative research organization founded by Peter Schweizer and Steve Bannon, conducted research for the 2015 book Clinton Cash: The Untold Story of How and Why Foreign Governments and Businesses Helped Make Bill and Hillary Rich. The book was later adapted into a film and graphic novel.100 Joshua Green. “This Man Is the Most Dangerous Political Operative in America,” Bloomberg, October 8, 2015. Archived March 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/sHoKR

GAI obtained the information behind the book by trolling “The Deep Web” for information, a process requiring extensive computing power.101 Joshua Green. “This Man Is the Most Dangerous Political Operative in America,” Bloomberg, October 8, 2015. Archived March 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/sHoKR

Published in May by HarperCollins, Bloomberg reported the book” dominated the political landscape for weeks and probably did more to shape public perception of Hillary Clinton than any of the barbs from her Republican detractors.”102 Joshua Green. “This Man Is the Most Dangerous Political Operative in America,” Bloomberg, October 8, 2015. Archived March 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/sHoKR

Notably, Rebekah Mercer is a funder and board member of the Government Accountability Institute.103 Joshua Green and Zachary Mider. “New Super-PAC Launches for Donors Who Won’t Back Trump But Loathe Clinton,” Bloomberg, June 21, 2016. Archived February 27, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/qcEDG

February 2014

When Breitbart.com expanded to Britain, they recruited noted climate change denier James Delingpole for the position of execuitve editor. The Guardian reported that the announcement of the London expansions was coupled with a similar announcement for a Texas team, run under Brandon Darby. “We look at London and Texas as two fronts in our current cultural and political war,” said Breitbart’s executive chairman Stephen Bannon.104 Roy Greenslade. “James Delingpole and Raheem Kassam head Breitbart’s new London team,” The Guardian, February 17, 2014. Archived March 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/P3p8P

“There is a growing global anti-establishment revolt against the permanent political class at home [in the US], and the global elites that influence them, which impacts everyone from Lubbock to London.

This expansion is a recognition that technology has removed the barriers that limit the reach of the news that shapes our day-to-day lives and the media establishment that once monopolised it.”105 Roy Greenslade. “James Delingpole and Raheem Kassam head Breitbart’s new London team,” The Guardian, February 17, 2014. Archived March 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/P3p8P

1990s

Steve Bannon was hired to take over the Biosphere 2 project, a self-contained ecosystem built in Arizona in the early ’90s, which was intended to test whether people could survive if it became necessary to build similar facilities in outer space. While the original project focused on survival—scientists tried to live two years inside a literal bubble—the project changed under Bannon to focus on researching environmental issues like air pollution and climate change, Mother Jones reported in 2016.106 Tim Murphy. “Trump’s Campaign CEO Ran a Secretive Sci-Fi Project in the Arizona Desert,” Mother Jones, August 26, 2016. Archived March 2, 2017. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/TIGLm

Bannon initially quit the project in late 1993 when Space Biosphere Ventures refused to accept Bannon’s proposal to remove top Biosphere 2 management. However, he returned as CEO in the following year when they gave into his requests. Upon Bannon’s return, two of the original eight researchers “staged a mutiny,” as Motherboard described it.”They opened doors and broke glass seals, letting outside air into the dome,” the Chicago Tribune originally reported in 1994. “In no way was it sabotage,” said Abigail Alling, one of the researchers. “It was my responsibility.”107 Samantha Cole. “The Strange History of Steve Bannon and the Biosphere 2 Experiment,” Motherboard, November 15, 2016. Archived March 2, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/W7DoH 108 George de Lama. “Biosphere 2 Proves A Hothouse For Trouble,” Chicago Tribune, April 16, 1994. Archived March 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/d6WD9

Bannon left the project after two years, however a civil lawsuit was filed against Space Biosphere Ventures by the former crew members who around the time of his departure. During a 1996 trial, Bannon testified that he had called one of the plaintiffs a “self-centered, deluded young woman” and a “bimbo.” He also testified, after she had submitted a complaint about safety issues at the site, he promised to shove the complaint “down her fucking throat.” At the end of the trial, Space Biosphere Ventures was ordered by the court to pay them $600,000, but also ordered the plaintiffs to pay the company $40,089 for the damage they had caused.109Political Notebook: Trump point man’s bullying goes back to Biosphere,” Arizona Daily Star, Aguust 25, 2016. Archived March 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/xlPbI 110 Eric Stern. “Manager vowed revenge on Alling, her lawyer says,Tucson Citizen, May 24, 1996. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/f3MRU 111SBV firm on ‘sabotage’ claim, Tucson Citizen, June 1, 1996. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/nmpWL

Bannon notably produced a movie starring Val Kilmer titled The Steam Experiment (aka The Chaos Experiment), which LA Weekly noted shared similarities with the real-life experiment as both the movie and the Biosphere 2 project “featured equal numbers of men and women taking part in an unprecedented experiment where they’re contained in a quarantined space to see what happens.”112 April Wolfe. “The Story Behind Steve Bannon’s Hilariously Terrible Movie About the Horrors of Climate Science,” LA Weekly, February 15, 2017. Archived March 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/8XawS

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