OPINION:
Steve Bannon’s job in the White House is reportedly in danger, due in part to the Charlottesville violent protests over the fate of its long-standing Robert E. Lee statue, and due in part to simmering tensions with the newly elevated national security adviser, H.R. McMaster.
Batter up, right? The next White House target of an ousting could be headed to the plate — the left would have believed, anyway. But not so fast on that. Once again, the left is using violence for political gain. Just as Barack Obama always called for gun control in the wake of a shooting, the anti-President Donald Trumpers are taking an isolated act of violence and twisting it to advance a progressive goal — the crumbling of this White House.
Bannon’s been long cast by the left as a white nationalist; by the mainstream media as a racist and anti-Semite.
Rep. Keith Ellison, Minnesota Democrat who rode to national acclaim by becoming the first Muslim congressman, sharply criticized then-President-elect Donald Trump last year for bringing him from Breitbart to the White House, writing in a statement: “Mr. Bannon is adored by white supremacists, white nationalists, anti-Semites, neo-Nazis, and the KKK. It’s not hard to see why. If the president-elect is serious about rejecting bigotry, hatred and violence from his supporters, he must rescind Stephen Bannon’s appointment. This man shouldn’t be allowed to visit the White House — let along run it.”
That was then. But now, Charlottesville, with its media portrayal of White Nationalists versus Civil Rights Sufferers has given the left a cause celebre to drum up hatred against Bannon once again. A hashtag to oust Bannon has sprung.
Here’s a sampling of the social media fury, as noted by Mediaite: “If Steve Bannon still works at the White House by Friday that means he 100% owns @realDonaldTrump #FireBannon.”
Another: “Because DT’s gotta be sick of all those meetings w/Kushner & Bannon, trying to make peace btw a Jew & a Nazi. #FireBannon.”
Another: “Let’s begin to Stop White Supremacy, Neo Nazis and KKK where they feel most welcome, the White House. #FireBannon #Charlottesville.”
One more: “Bannon wanted #Charlottesville. He’s a supremacist in the WH and he must go. Use #FireBannon to make your voice heard. Tweet & RT. Be loud.”
And then a couple that roped in Trump that went like this: “The President has failed to condemn these attacks because he has surrounded himself with white nationalists. #FireBannon.” And from the same Twitter user: “@realDonaldTrump, by not disavowing white-supremacist members of ur ’base,’ u alienate the compassionate Christians in ur base. #FireBannon.”
Still: How hysterical, right?
Bannon supporters, many of whom who’ve come out in the past to tell personal stories that completely debunk the left’s mudslinging against the man — particularly the name-calling that casts him as anti-Semitic — have risen once again.
“Insane liberals are tweeting #FireBannon & calling Steven Bannon a ’white supremacist’ w/ absolutely ZERO proof,” one tweeted.
Another: “Steve Bannon is not a White Nationalist. The people who are tweeting #FireBannon and claiming he is one are full of s—t, and are Fake news.”
Yet another: “The Deep State and the left want to #FireBannon because they know he is pro-America, anti-globalist and he wants Trump’s agenda to succeed.”
And one more: “Saying #Charlottesville Was Trump’s Doing Or Bannon’s is INSANE…The #Nutjob Left is Desperate For a Narrative.”
Quite right. Blaming Bannon, calling for his firing — pointing fingers Trump’s way — are all examples of the left’s utter willingness to use a crisis for political gain. It’s deceitful and predictable, and it’s simply the left being the left once again.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.