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Old 02-06-2017, 11:50 AM   #2803
octothorp
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Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis View Post
Bannon knows how to manipulate Trump better than anyone else in the White House. He knows how specifically to stroke Trump's ego to get Trump on his side. Bannon's problem now though is he's getting too much profile, which is partially his own fault from his "media is the opposition party" blurb. As long as his profile keeps going up, he's destined to fall as Trump can't stand someone getting more attention.
If we assume (and we shouldn't, but for the sake of argument) that the rumours of Trump being angry at not being fully briefed about the executive order are true, then that really shows just how powerful Bannon is right now. If your supposed most trusted advisor makes an obvious power-grab by the power of your signature and doesn't fully inform you of the situation, that would be a clear reason to turf that advisor immediately. Or, if politically necessary, keep him on but find other ways to sideline him internally. It's one level of power to be in position to deceive the president; it's another level entirely to know that your deceits will go unpunished even when uncovered.

I don't think removing Bannon from his positions of authority is a decision Trump would make on his own; Bannon has probably been successful in cultivating a fear in Trump that he couldn't survive without Bannon. Trump would probably also fear how removing Bannon only confirms rumours that he had been used all along. An intervention from Trump's family might be necessary, as they're the only other people that likely have a similar level of trust. But I'm not sure Ivanka and Kushner really want to get into that power struggle right now, as to lose it would leave them on the outside; it may be better for them to wait until Bannon's reputation sinks further.
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