Steve Bannon Lost Three Jobs As Result of "Fire and Fury" Fallout
BERMAN: This morning, Steve Bannon out at Breitbart, stripped of his radio show, and FOX News prophylactically -- and yes, I just like to say that word. Prophylactically tells him --</s>HARLOW: Twice this morning.</s>BERMAN: Three times now. They tell him they will not hire him as if anyone asks.</s>HARLOW: Right.</s>BERMAN: All of this is the consequence apparently of crossing the president in the new Michael Wolff book, "Fire and Fury."</s>HARLOW: I mean, keep in mind. This was the man on the president's side, the former chief strategist, the man who declared war on the Republican establishment for 2018. Does he have any fighting power left? Joining us is Kurt Bardella, he's a former spokesman for Breitbart News. Not only that, someone who was hired by Bannon, worked side by side with him, talked to him in and out every day. Kurt, your expertise is needed here. Who is Steve Bannon without all of this?</s>KURT BARDELLA, FORMER BREITBART SPOKESMAN: I think he's a man without a movement. This is someone who, for the last year, has really been trading on the idea that he had this access to President Trump, that he had a billionaire in his back pocket to fund his efforts and campaigns and candidates of choice. And a platform in Breitbart to reach the Republican primary electorate. And within one week, all that's been taken away from him. And so he's left now as the self-declared leader of a movement that's actually now left him. And in the choice between Donald Trump and Steve Bannon, it wasn't even a competition. And I think what Steve failed to realize is that most people in the Republican Party, most people, most voters, they don't know who Steve Bannon is. They've never asked a candidate or congressman, hey, where are you on Steve Bannon? They ask, where are you on Donald Trump?</s>BERMAN: So, you know, will Steve Bannon go quietly? Is he a threat now, do you think, to the Trump administration in any way? A wounded animal that you can't predict?</s>BARDELLA: Well, I think that he's going to spend this intermediate period trying to rebuild and recapture the relationship of President Trump. I think that Steve believes, if he just waits quietly, exercises loyalty, and humility, that he'll find his way back to Trump. And certainly Trump has shown a penchant for attacking people one day and embracing them the next. Look at his own attorney general Jeff Sessions.</s>HARLOW: Yes.</s>BARDELLA: And so I think Steve believes that if things get bad for Trump, that could be the way for Steve to get back in his good graces.</s>HARLOW: There's also a difference, though, for Sessions, right, and how it would look if he were to fire Jeff Sessions versus, you know, with Steve Bannon. With different calculation. What message do you think this sends overall to anyone who's considering crossing the president or his family?</s>BARDELLA: Well, if you certainly work for the president, work in his administration, don't talk about his family. And you wouldn't think that actually would have to be said. That's kind of common sense, right. You know, if you're working in the administration, working in the White House, maybe it's not a good idea to talk to a book writer and bad mouth the president's son and daughter and son-in-law. But, clearly, that needs to be said, because Steve spectacularly just blew himself up doing that.</s>BERMAN: Are you surprised at all, Kurt, to the ends to which this White House, the president seems to be going right now to outlaw Steve Bannon? I mean, it's not enough that he lost the White House job, but Breitbart had to push him out. Sirius XM Radio now dropped him, and FOX News, you know, so nervous about what the president might think, feels compelled to come out in advance of anyone even discussing it, saying Steve Bannon won't work there.</s>BARDELLA: Well, I think it just shows you the power of President Trump and that he has a true stranglehold right now on the Republican Party, in that - you know, if it comes down to it and he says, choose me or them, the party and everybody, billionaires, benefactors, platforms, media entities, they're going to side with Donald Trump.</s>HARLOW: Kurt, we appreciate your insight. Thank you for coming on.</s>BARDELLA: Thanks for having me on.</s>BERMAN: All right, Oprah Winfrey right now, everyone talking about that speech. What will the impact of it be going forward? Can she reach heights that no woman ever has before?