Defining Steve Bannon Downward

Dorothee Benz

This is how the New York Times (8/20/20) first reported the news that Steve Bannon has been indicted for fraud—describing him as "President Trump's former campaign aide":

Bannon was not just a "campaign aide"—he was the CEO of the Trump campaign. The Times reported his appointment in August 2017 (8/17/16) under the headline, "Donald Trump Appoints Media Firebrand to Run Campaign."

But perhaps more importantly, Bannon's role didn't end after Trump's election; he was named the White House's chief strategist, a role he held for the first seven months of the administration.

The effort to legitimize power, in this case by pretending a leading white supremacist was less central to the regime than he was, is relentless at the Times. It's pretty much the "paper of record's" North Star.

The Times (8/20/20) updated its story within minutes, with a new description of Bannon...which tells me they knew damned well that calling Bannon merely a former campaign aide (not even a campaign staffer, a mere "aide") was inexcusable. But even in the corrected blurb, Bannon is just a "former adviser." Let me repeat, he was the effing chief strategist of the White House.

The corruption, malfeasance, fascist and racist and misogynist intent, and sheer greed of this regime is staggering. If only the New York Times spent less time trying to soothe us into thinking it was normal, we'd have the revolt we need for this moment.

Featured image: New York Times (8/20/20) depiction of Steve Bannon.