Trump leaves Bannon future in limbo

The president refused to express confidence in Bannon
during an impromptu news conference on Tuesday.
Bannon, the former leader of conservative Breitbart
News website, has been a contentious figure in a
divided White House for months.
He was a key general election campaign adviser and
has been a forceful presence at the White House.
But the former leader of conservative Breitbart News
has drawn fire from some of Trump's closest advisers,
including son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Trump's less-than-enthusiastic defense calls into
question Bannon's assessment of his situation. He had
been telling people that he believed his job was safe,
following a conversation in recent days with new chief
of staff John Kelly.
That's according to a White House official who
demanded anonymity to discuss personnel matters.
The anti-Bannon campaign comes as Trump is facing
heated criticism for not immediately condemning by
name white supremacists and other hate groups after
deadly violence last weekend in Charlottesville,
Virginia.
The decision whether to oust Bannon is more than just
personnel matter.
The media guru is viewed in some circles as Trump's
connection to his base and the protector of Trump's
disruptive, conservative agenda.
But Bannon's high profile and puppet-master image
have at times irked a president who doesn't like to
share the spotlight and bristles at the suggestion that
he needs a liaison to his base.
In April, Trump diminished Bannon's role to that of "a
guy who works for me".
However on Tuesday the president said Bannon is a
"good man" and not a racist.

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