Reported rivals Priebus and Bannon praise Trump — and each other
WASHINGTON — It was love in the afternoon Thursday as President Trump's top two advisers praised their boss, complimented each other, and attacked their media coverage during a high-profile convention of conservative political activists.
White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and senior adviser Steve Bannon both disputed media reports casting them as rivals in Trump's political court, and each said they are working together to advance the president's ambitious agenda.
"In regard to us two, I think the biggest misconception is everything that you're reading," Priebus told delegates at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, meeting in suburban Maryland.
Bannon repeatedly described the media as "the opposition party" and said it is "always wrong," whether it is assessing Trump's chances for victory during last fall's election or explaining his "economic nationalism" agenda currently.
Numerous news reports have described friction between Priebus, an establishment figure who ran the Republican National Committee last year, and Bannon, the self-described outsider who ran Breitbart News, as well as the people they brought into the White House.
The two top aides said they have had a few differences, but their different strengths have also helped Trump fulfill his campaign promises. Both cited the president's de-regulation orders, nomination of judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, and efforts to combat illegal immigration, included the proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Trump is "maniacally focused" on pursuing his agenda, Bannon said.
Moderator Matt Schlapp — chairman of the American Conservative Union, which puts on CPAC — seemed amused by the Bannon/Priebius pleasantries, saying at one point, "you guys have been so sort of kumbaya here."
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Asked to describe Bannon, Priebus used the terms dogged, loyal and consistent; Bannon returned the favor, lauding the White House chief as "indefatigable."
Both also took time to praise their patron, Trump.
Priebus said that Trump will be "one of the greatest presidents that ever served this country." Bannon said the president is transforming the country through an agenda that includes protecting national security and sovereignty, promoting economic nationalism, and "deconstruction of the administrative state."
He added: "There's a new political order that's being formed out of this."
One thing they disagree on: future media coverage.
Priebus said he hopes the reporting may improve as Trump does more things.
Bannon disagreed, telling the conservative delegates: "They're corporatist, globalist media that are adamantly opposed, adamantly opposed, to an economic nationalist agenda like Donald Trump has ... If you think they're going to give you your country back without a fight, you are sadly mistaken."
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