What’s up with the sudden push from Donald Trump’s inner circle to assure the world that Reince Priebus is not about to be fired and is not being used as a footstool by Steve Bannon? Is it just because Breitbart News, a media outlet they actually take seriously, ran an article saying Priebus was likely to be fired? That would be perfect—weeks of damaging leaks and rumors that Trump was unhappy with Priebus, and all it takes is one Breitbart piece to draw a massive response.
In any case, Priebus and Steve Bannon, the white supremacist former Breitbart head who’s now Priebus’s equal in the White House, talked to The Hill about how peachy keen everything is, in language that in no way sounded like it was being very carefully read from a script:
“Reince is doing an amazing job,” Bannon told The Hill. “We are executing on President Trump’s agenda in record time. That’s because Reince is getting the job done.”
“It is a privilege to come to work on behalf of President Trump to serve the American people,” added Priebus. “We are a completely united team dedicated to enacting his bold agenda to bring back jobs and keep this country safe."
Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner and spokeswoman Hope Hicks both also issued statements saying how totes amazing Priebus is. A separate CNN interview with Bannon suggests that all this really has been brought on by the Breitbart article:
"Not upset - livid," is how Bannon described his feelings about the article to CNN. "The story is totally untrue. Reince is doing a great job. I couldn't ask any more from a partner."
The Washington Post and New York Times and countless other major media outlets have had leaks suggesting that Priebus was on thin ice with Trump and was being blamed for the hot mess that is the White House right now, with little response. But even with Bannon working from inside the house, they still jump when Breitbart yanks the chain.