Keneally writes: "A source close to Bannon told ABC News the resignation was effective on Aug. 14, exactly one year after he joined the Trump campaign. Trump had grown increasingly frustrated with Bannon, according to one senior White House official."
Former White House strategist Steve Bannon. (photo: Doug Mills/The New York Times)
Steve Bannon Out as White House Chief Strategist
18 August 17
teve Bannon has resigned from his role as White House chief strategist, ABC News has learned.
A source close to Bannon told ABC News the resignation was effective Aug. 14, exactly one year after he joined the Trump campaign.
"White House 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 the best," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement to ABC News.
Trump had grown increasingly frustrated with Bannon, according to one senior White House official.
Bannon has clashed with virtually every top official in the White House. Atop his list of in-house detractors are senior adviser Jared Kushner, national security adviser Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster and the new chief of staff, Gen. John Kelly.
One of McMaster's first moves was to remove Bannon from his seat at the National Security Council, a move that angered Bannon. And his appointment as the council's chief political strategist was hugely controversial when it was first announced via executive order at the start of the administration.
Over the weekend, McMaster refused to say whether he would continue to work with Bannon.
The former executive chairman of Breitbart News joined the Trump campaign last August. He would become known as a fearless and critically influential adviser to the president.
On Tuesday, the president told reporters at Trump Tower that Bannon was a "good man” and “not a racist.”
"I like Mr. Bannon. He's a friend of mine. But Mr. Bannon came on very late. You know that. I went through 17 senators, governors, and I won all the primaries. Mr. Bannon came on very much later than that," Trump said before adding, "but we'll see what happens with Mr. Bannon."
Bannon is the latest high-profile aide to leave the White House. On July 21, press secretary Sean Spicer resigned, followed by Chief of Staff Reince Priebus. White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci was fired a few days later, serving just 11 days in that role.
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