If there's one thing that has miraculously managed to unite Donald Trump, establishment Republicans, and even filthy rich GOP donors, it's a sudden visceral disgust for one-time political firebrand Steve Bannon.
Ever since Trump issued his "official" presidential screed declaring that Bannon had "lost his mind," it's been a pile on that establishment Republicans are delighting in.
"I'd like to associate myself with what the president had to say about Steve Bannon yesterday," Mitch McConnell told reporters Thursday, cracking a hint of a grin (in case you’re wondering what that looks like, Team Mitch tweeted this).
But Bannon has also lost a key financial backer—Rebekah Mercer, daughter of billionaire hedge fund manager Robert Mercer.
"I support President Trump and the platform upon which he was elected," Mercer said. "My family and I have not communicated with Steve Bannon in many months and have provided no financial support to his political agenda, nor do we support his recent actions and statements."
Mercer almost never speaks publicly, and her statement about her longtime ally represented an extraordinary rebuke.
Bannon has already lost both his political and financial moorings this week, and now he’s at risk of losing his “weapons” too—Breitbart News.
Mercer is arguably the most prominent former Bannon associate to disavow him in the wake of the book's publication. She said she remains committed in her support for Breitbart News, where she holds a minority stake and where Bannon serves as chairman.
People familiar with the conservative news website said discussions have begun at the organization about potentially removing him from the perch that propelled him to the forefront of national conservative politics.
If all Bannon is left with is his “genius,” he’s in a lot of trouble.