WASHINGTON, D.C. – According to a Politico report, White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, a former executive at Breitbart News, has been bickering with fellow White House staff so much recently that a GOP mega donor had to persuade him to think about the “long term” instead of resigning.
Five people told Politico that Bannon has gotten into arguments with President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner because of their political differences.
The two senior advisers to Trump have different ideas of policymaking.
In the past few weeks, Rebekah Mercer, a Republican mega-donor and prominent Trump promoter, had to urge Bannon not to resign.
“Rebekah Mercer prevailed upon him to stay,” the source told Politico.
“Bekah tried to convince him that this is a long-term play,” a GOP operative in contact with Mercer said.
“If Bannon leaves the White House, Bekah’s access and influence shrinks dramatically,” the operative added.
Mercer and Bannon have entered many business projects together over the years.
The Mercer Family Foundation backs Breitbart News in a significant way and Bannon’s $1.3 million salary last year mainly came from entities supported by the Mercers, according to disclosed financial forms.
Bannon allegedly threatened to resign from his White House chief strategist position on Wednesday when he was dropped from the National Security Council. The incident was part of an administration stir.
He had reportedly prepared to leave if Trump removed him. However, as of Thursday, Bannon is still the chief strategist.