CAMPAIGN LEADER, GOP CHAIRMAN TO SERVE IN NEW ADMINISTRATION …
President-elect Donald Trump has tapped his campaign chairman and the leader of the national Republican party to fill the top two posts in his administration.
Steve Bannon – who took the reins of the billionaire mogul’s campaign organization in August – will serve as chief strategist and senior counselor to the president. Meanwhile Republican National Committee (RNC) chairman Reince Priebus will serve as Trump’s White House chief of staff.
“Bannon and Priebus will continue the effective leadership team they formed during the campaign, working as equal partners to transform the federal government, making it much more efficient, effective and productive,” a statement from Trump’s transition organization noted.
Priebus’ ascension to such a powerful role in Trump’s administration has rubbed some conservatives the wrong way (and with good reason) … although in fairness that was prior to Bannon’s position being disclosed.
Bannon is the former CEO of Breitbart News, a conservative media empire and a consummate outsider.
“Trump is smart,” one conservative activist told us. “He let the Breitbart guy be the decision-maker and Priebus is the grunt.”
Given the extent to which the GOP savaged Trump in the Republican primaries – and the general election against Hillary Clinton – we’re surprised to see Priebus get a gig in Trump’s White House.
Oh well, “keep your friends close …”
(Banner via iStock)