Steve Bannon Says Chris Christie Lost Cabinet Job Over Trump ‘Access Hollywood’ Tape (Video)
“Billy Bush Saturday showed me who really had Donald Trump’s back,” former White House strategist tells Charlie Rose
Ashley Boucher | September 8, 2017 @ 7:04 AM
Last Updated: September 8, 2017 @ 7:13 AM
In a new excerpt from CBS’ upcoming episode of “60 Minutes,” former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon tells Charlie Rose that Chris Christie lost his chance at landing a job in Donald Trump’s cabinet because of how he reacted to the leaked “Access Hollywood” tape. In the video, Trump famously said it’s OK to “grab” women by their genitals if you’re famous.
On what Bannon refers to as “Billy Bush Saturday” — the weekend after the “Access Hollywood” tape was leaked — Trump’s senior advisers congregated to discuss damage control. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, apparently, missed his flight to that meeting.
“I told him, ‘The plane leaves at 11 o’clock in the morning. If you’re on the plane, you’re on the team.’ Didn’t make the plane,” Bannon told Rose.
Bannon explained that he used that meeting as a “litmus test” to see who was really going to stand up for Trump. Trump went around the room, Bannon recalled, asking what should be done, and what percentage he still had of winning.
Reince Priebus, former Chief of Staff and then-RNCchairman, said, according to Bannon, “You have two choices. You either drop out right now, or you lose by the biggest landslide in American political history.”
While Priebus made the meeting and the cabinet, he was one of the many members to be ousted within the first several months of Trump’s presidency. Bannon, on the other hand, told Trump the American people “didn’t care” about his “locker room talk.”
“It’s 100 percent. You have 100 percent probability of winning,” Bannon said he told Trump that day.
“Billy Bush Saturday showed me who really had Donald Trump’s back to play to his better angels. All you had to do, and what he did, was go out and continue to talk to the American people,” Bannon said. “People didn’t care. They knew Donald Trump was just doing locker room talk with a guy. And they dismissed it. It had no lasting impact on the campaign. Yet, if you see the mainstream media that day, it was, literally, he was falling into Dante’s Inferno.”
You can watch the full clip of Rose’s interview with Bannon above, and watch “60 Minutes” on CBS this Sunday.
'Survivor' Season 35: Meet the Cast of 'Heroes vs Healers vs Hustlers' (Photos)
Here are all the players competing for "Survivor" Season 35, including one choice quote from their cast bios and which of the three tribes they represent -- Heroes, Healers and Hustlers.
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Ryan Ulrich, 23 (Yawa Tribe, Hustlers) Occupation: Bellhop Best quote: "I have wanted to play this game since I was six years old. It's much more than a game to me, it's a passion, I obsess over it."
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Simone Nguyen, 25 (Yawa Tribe, Hustlers) Occupation: Diversity Advocate Best quote: "[My hobbies are] volunteering, yoga, and complaining."
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Cole Medders, 24 (Soko Tribe, Healers) Occupation: Wilderness Therapy Guide Best quote: "No one will come close to being as well rounded as I am."
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John "JP" Hilsabeck, 28 (Levu Tribe, Heroes) Occupation: Firefighter Best quote: "I feel that with my athletic ability and personality, I will be the final 'Survivor!'"
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Patrick Bolton, 24 (Yawa Tribe, Hustlers) Occupation: Small Business Owner Best quote: " I can take on the outdoor elements, I can fish, I can build a shelter, and probably start a fire."
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Devon Pinto, 23 (Yawa Tribe, Hustlers) Occupation: Surf Instructor Best quote: "I'm just another lovable guy!"
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Katrina Radke, 46 (Levu Tribe, Heroes) Occupation: Olympian Best quote: "There are two powers: love and fear. I like to focus on the power of love."
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Mike Zahalsky, 43 (Soko Tribe, Healers) Occupation: Urologist Best quote: "People will be hugging me as I vote them off."
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Ashley Nolan, 26 (Levu Tribe, Heroes) Occupation: Lifeguard Best quote: "My dad and I have wanted me to be on 'Survivor' since Season 1 -- and I finally decided that I should stop messing around and go out and win a million bucks."
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Lauren Rimmer, 35 (Yawa Tribe, Hustlers) Occupation: Fisherwoman Best quote: "I always try to do things differently than other people."
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Chrissy Hofbeck, 46 (Levu Tribe, Heroes) Occupation: Actuary Best quote: "I hate being cold."
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Roark Luskin, 27 (Soko Tribe, Healers) Occupation: Social Worker Best quote: "If Sophie Clarke and Courtney Yates found a way to have a child I would be the result."
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Joe Mena, 34 (Soko Tribe, Healers) Occupation: Probation Officer Best quote: "It would take me 10 plus years to earn a million dollars at my current work rate. Why not speed up the process and make a million in six weeks? It’s a no brainer."
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Desiree "Desi" Williams, 27 (Soko Tribe, Healers) Occupation: Physical Therapist Best quote: "Charm, wit, beauty, mental fortitude, physical strength -- all of these traits and more will ensure I'm the Sole Survivor."
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Alexandrea "Ali" Elliott, 24 (Yawa Tribe, Hustlers) Occupation: Celebrity Assistant Best quote: "My time is now!"
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Alan Ball, 31 (Levu Tribe, Heroes) Occupation: NFL Player (free agent) Best quote: "I can't stand liars or people who feel entitled."
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Jessica Johnston, 29 (Soko Tribe, Healers) Occupation: Nurse Practitioner Best quote: "I could win Miss Congeniality of 'Survivor' if there was such an award!"
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Ben Driebergen, 34 (Levu Tribe, Heroes) Occupation: Marine Best quote: "I'm a little conniving and manipulative like Russell [Hantz], have the determination and confidence of Boston Rob, and the athletic ability of Joe [Anglim]."
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New season premieres Wednesday, Sept. 27 on CBS
Here are all the players competing for "Survivor" Season 35, including one choice quote from their cast bios and which of the three tribes they represent -- Heroes, Healers and Hustlers.