It was a shocking move when President Trump appointed former media executive Steve Bannon to the National Security Council back in January. And it was just as shocking to learn this week that Bannon had been removed from said council. What's going on behind the scenes? Political junkies didn't have to wait long to find out—sources told the Daily Beast that Bannon and Jared Kushner, the President's senior advisor and son-in-law, are "fighting nonstop."
They are both Trump insiders, so what is there to fight about? Apparently Bannon and Kushner disagree about almost everything. "It's all about policy. There's tension [between them] on trade, health care, immigration, taxes, [terrorism]—you name it," said a senior official.
[pullquote align='C']"Here's the reason there's no middle ground. You're a Democrat."[/pullquote]
Two policy efforts led by Bannon—the Muslim travel ban and Trumpcare—were both big, public failures, which is increasing the tension, says the report. Now it seems Bannon has sunk to straight-up name-calling. Bannon "recently vented to us about Jared being a 'globalist' and a 'cuck'... He actually said 'cuck,' as in 'cuckservative,'" the source said. (Per Urban Dictionary, a cuckservative is "a self-styled 'conservative' who will cravenly sell out and undermine his home country's people, culture, and national interest in order to win approval with parties hostile or indifferent to them.)
RELATED STORY
Who Is Steve Bannon? Here's What You Need to Know About Donald Trump's Chief Strategist
RELATED STORY
It Is So Weird—and Scary—That Jared Kushner Is in Iraq Right Now
Despite the fact that cuckservative derives from the word "cuckold" (i.e. the husband of an adultress) it still doesn't seem to be the nastiest insult Bannon has hurled Kushner's way. According to the New York Times, there's been another: Democrat. "Here's the reason there's no middle ground. You're a Democrat," Bannon said to Kushner this week. And in fairness, the Trump and Kushner families both have long histories of donating to and endorsing Democrats (including Hillary Clinton)... right up until Donald decided to run for president,as a Republican.
No one knows how this cattiness will develop over the coming weeks and months of the Trump administration. But with the many things on the president's plate, playing referee between his two besties shouldn't be one of them.
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
-
Bella Hadid Serves Rocker-Chic Meets Scandi GirlThe model piled on the winter trends for an outing in New York City.
-
Prince William and Princess Kate are Experiencing "Calm Before the Storm" as They Prep for Throne"They are next in line for the biggest job of their lives," a source says.
-
Blue Ivy Carter’s ‘Mufasa’ Makeup Is Causing ControversyAllow Black girls to experiment with beauty in peace.
-
36 Ways Women Still Aren't Equal to MenIt's just one of the many ways women still aren't equal to men.
-
How New York's First Female Governor Plans to Fight for Women If ReelectedKathy Hochul twice came to power because men resigned amid sexual harassment scandals. Here, how she's leading differently.
-
Why the 2022 Midterm Elections Are So CriticalAs we blaze through a highly charged midterm election season, Swing Left Executive Director Yasmin Radjy highlights rising stars who are fighting for women’s rights.
-
Tammy Duckworth: 'I’m Mad as Hell' About the Lack of Federal Action on Gun SafetyThe Illinois Senator won't let the memory of the Highland Park shooting just fade away.
-
Roe Is Gone. We Have to Keep Fighting.Democracy always offers a path forward even when we feel thrust into the past.
-
The Supreme Court's Mississippi Abortion Rights Case: What to KnowThe case could threaten Roe v. Wade.
-
Sex Trafficking Victims Are Being Punished. A New Law Could Change That.Victims of sexual abuse are quietly criminalized. Sara's Law protects kids that fight back.
-
My Family and I Live in Navajo Nation. We Don't Have Access to Clean Running Water"They say that the United States is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Why are citizens still living with no access to clean water?"
