Article snippet: The fractured relationship between MORE and his former chief strategist Stephen Bannon took center stage on Thursday as questions mounted about Bannon’s political future. The heaviest blow for Bannon came as one of his most important financial backers, Rebekah Mercer, issued a rare public rebuke of the strategist in a statement first reported by the Washington Post on Thursday afternoon. Republican politicians who have long disliked Bannon — including New York Congressman Peter King and, reportedly, Senate Majority Leader MORE (R-Ky.) — have been gratified by his apparent demise. Even conservative strategists who harbor some sympathy for Bannon are shocked at the speed of his apparent fall. “Bannon has pretty effectively marginalized himself, with inexplicable speed,” said one long-established Republican strategist, who added that Bannon had “lost a war of words with the president.” A former Trump aide, meanwhile, when asked about Bannon’s future, replied wryly, “Time of death: 1:20 p.m.” The former aide was referring to Trump’s Wednesday statement in which he excoriated Bannon as having “lost his mind.” Trump’s statement added, “Steve doesn’t represent my base — he’s only in it for himself.” To Bannon skeptics, the strategist has destroyed his own main asset — his proximity to Trump. Bannon was an early enthusiast for Trump’s candidacy and took over as de facto leader of the campaign in August 2016 when conventional wisdom held that it was doomed. But his... Link to the full article to read more