Steve Bannon and Trump: Star-crossed.

[blimix]

Okay, I really did not see Steve Bannon's firing coming. That's possibly because I didn't update my estimation of how Trump's relationship to him was likely to devolve following the start of the term. Basically, Bannon was instrumental behind the scenes in getting Trump elected, due partly to Breitbart, but mostly to his data mining company, Cambridge Analytica, that enabled precisely targeted ads to covertly deliver Russian fake news only to those who would eat it up. He was invaluable to Trump, and in return, he got to be the archetypal evil vizier, getting the king to do his bidding and even going behind the king's back to amass more power for himself.

Problem number one is that Trump is a classic bully, and even when you're one of his henchmen, you can't spend lots of time around a bully without occasionally falling afoul of him. No amount of appeasement or pandering will stop him from using any slight, real or imagined, as an excuse to abuse you. That is, unless they fear you, or fear losing your support.

This leads to problem number two: "What have you done for me lately?" Even while helping himself, Bannon was certainly proceeding with the right-wing agenda of both harming people and dismantling the government's ability to protect people. But Trump didn't see that as helping him, personally. Bannon seemed immune to repercussions from even severe infractions against Trump early in the term, but as the grudges built up and his value declined, his immunity waned.

Contrast this with Putin's continued influence over Trump: The two don't spend enough time together to piss each other off. Putin's monetary contributions to Trump are a resource that he won't risk giving up, and whose value does not disappear following a "successful" election. And most importantly, bullies *never* attack bigger bullies. Trump's sense of self-preservation will keep him sucking up to Putin for life.

Admittedly, this pattern recognition is achieved from the distance of one who does not have the mental energy to continue keeping closely abreast of these folks' interactions. And you should take my opinion with an extra grain of salt because, as I said, I didn't see it coming. One can explain anything after the fact.

Comments

[kirin]

I'm reading that both will still be funded by the same billionaires, Mercer et al, after Bannon's departure. Although I'm sure there's plenty of tension between Trump and Bannon, this may be less a falling-out and more the holders of the purse strings deciding they'll work better separately than together. Bannon's practically said as much in some recent statements, that he looks forward to being let loose and allowed to use all his tools back at Breitbart.

Unfortunately it's hard to see this as a significant win. Bannon will still be working towards the same goals, and Miller and Gorka are still in the WH keeping the voice of white supremacy close to Trump's ears.

[eirias]

Now Gorka's out too!

[kirin]

... and on the same day, Trump reassures the racists he still has their back by pardoning Arpaio.

Still, the fewer actual straight-up Nazis actually employed by the White House, the better, for sure. He'll always be awful but fewer people preaching unfiltered white supremacy straight into his ear is certainly a good thing.

[eirias]

Right, there was that, eh. Well, it's not like anything Trump could conceivably do at this point would convince me he isn't racist.