White House chief strategist Stephen Bannon reportedly met with a key backer of President Trump last week to discuss opportunities for the senior aide should he leave the White House.
Two two sources briefed on the meeting told The New York Times that Bannon met with Rebekah Mercer, the daughter of major Republican donor Robert Mercer, last Friday.
According to the newspaper, the meeting took place in Mercer’s office at Cambridge Analytica in New York and focused on possibilities for Bannon if he decides to leave the White House.
{mosads}
Trump on Tuesday declined to voice his full confidence in Bannon while seemingly downplaying the adviser’s role in the administration.
“I like Steve, but you have to remember he was not involved in my campaign until very late,” Trump told the New York Post.
“I had already beaten all the senators and all the governors, and I didn’t know Steve. I’m my own strategist and it wasn’t like I was going to change strategies because I was facing crooked Hillary [Clinton],” he added.
Numerous reports in recent days have portrayed serious internal disagreements between Bannon and Jared Kushner, who is Trump’s son-in-law and a top adviser.
Bannon last week was removed from the National Security Council’s Principals Committee.
“Steve is a good guy, but I told them to straighten it out or I will,” Trump told the Post.