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| CPAC 2017: Mike Pence speaks after Steve Bannon taunts media – as it happened | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 1.20am GMT | |
| 01:20 | |
| Thanks for joining us for an eventful day at CPAC, where Donald Trump’s takeover of the conservative movement was clear on stage and off. | |
| Vice-president Mike Pence gave a well-received but hardly rousing speech, while senior White House aide Kellyanne Conway began the day explaining why she did not consider herself a feminist. | |
| Drama was provided by Steve Bannon, seen by many as the power behind the throne and the engine of Trump’s ideology, which he described as “economic nationalism”. Bannon, who has spoken rarely in public, made some effort to appear to be working hand in glove with his White House colleague Reince Priebus, who comes from the establishment wing of the party. | |
| But his fury at the media, which he calls the “opposition party”, was clearly evident. “If you think they’re going to give you your country back without a fight, you’re sadly mistaken,” he said of the media. “Every day is going to be a fight. That is the promise of Donald Trump.” | |
| Trump himself will address the conference where he was until only recently considered an outsider tomorrow, along with NRA chief Wayne LaPierre and UK Brexit leader Nigel Farage. Join us then. | |
| 1.13am GMT | |
| 01:13 | |
| He says he and Trump need the conservative movement’s conviction, passion, and prayers. | |
| He recalls his swearing in as vice-president, saying it was an especially meaningful moment “for this grandson of an Irish immigrant”, perhaps not seeing any link to his own administration’s anti-immigrant policies. | |
| He closes the speech by telling them the best days are yet to come. “Let’s get to work.” | |
| 1.08am GMT | |
| 01:08 | |
| “The success of our movement, and more importantly the success of our country, depends more on you than it does on us,” he tells the audience. | |
| “We gotta mobilise. We gotta march forward. As if it’s the most important time in the history of our movement – because it is!” he says. | |
| 1.06am GMT | |
| 01:06 | |
| Someone shouts “Yes! Small businesses!” when he mentions a proposal for helping them. | |
| And he promises no state will ever be forced to adopt the Common Core education standards under Trump. | |
| Pence says he is proud to stand with “the Jewish state of Israel”, perhaps hoping to put right some of the damage done by Trump’s reluctance to full-throatedly condemn antisemitic attacks. | |
| 1.04am GMT | 1.04am GMT |
| 01:04 | 01:04 |
| Pence seems to have come to his peroration, and the crowd goes wild, but there is more. | Pence seems to have come to his peroration, and the crowd goes wild, but there is more. |
| He lists a number of policies Trump is pursuing, including “ending illegal immigration” and repealing Obamacare. “America’s Obamacare nightmare is about to end,” he says. | He lists a number of policies Trump is pursuing, including “ending illegal immigration” and repealing Obamacare. “America’s Obamacare nightmare is about to end,” he says. |
| “Despite the best efforts of liberal activists around the country, Obamacare has failed and Obamacare must go ... Talk about your fake news, just think about all the things liberals told us about Obamacare.” | “Despite the best efforts of liberal activists around the country, Obamacare has failed and Obamacare must go ... Talk about your fake news, just think about all the things liberals told us about Obamacare.” |
| He lists some of the claims made for Obamacare and a few voices yell: “Fake news!” after each one. | He lists some of the claims made for Obamacare and a few voices yell: “Fake news!” after each one. |
| With Trumpian vagueness, he promises Obamacare is “going to be replaced with something that actually works”. | With Trumpian vagueness, he promises Obamacare is “going to be replaced with something that actually works”. |
| The new system will work “in the best way” for each individual state. | The new system will work “in the best way” for each individual state. |
| He also mentions keeping provisions that mean people with “pre-existing conditions” can still get insurance, but that doesn’t get any applause. | He also mentions keeping provisions that mean people with “pre-existing conditions” can still get insurance, but that doesn’t get any applause. |
| There is much more enthusiasm for his pledge to “hunt down and destroy Isis”. That gets a standing ovation. | There is much more enthusiasm for his pledge to “hunt down and destroy Isis”. That gets a standing ovation. |
| 12.59am GMT | 12.59am GMT |
| 00:59 | 00:59 |
| But the harder and most important work lies ahead, Pence says. | But the harder and most important work lies ahead, Pence says. |
| “Over at the White House, I like to say we’re in the promise-keeping business,” he says folksily. | “Over at the White House, I like to say we’re in the promise-keeping business,” he says folksily. |
| He says when he was talking about staffing Trump’s administration, Trump told him: “Get me the best.” | He says when he was talking about staffing Trump’s administration, Trump told him: “Get me the best.” |
| Pence reels off a few names – Jeff Sessions, James “Mad Dog” Mattis, Ben Carson. The crowd likes them. The cabinet is “the A-team”, Pence says, perhaps inspired by Mattis’ nickname. | Pence reels off a few names – Jeff Sessions, James “Mad Dog” Mattis, Ben Carson. The crowd likes them. The cabinet is “the A-team”, Pence says, perhaps inspired by Mattis’ nickname. |
| 12.56am GMT | 12.56am GMT |
| 00:56 | 00:56 |
| This is not a government of the elites, by the media, or for the establishment, he says. It’s government of the people, by the people and for the people. | This is not a government of the elites, by the media, or for the establishment, he says. It’s government of the people, by the people and for the people. |
| “Last November the American people rose up,” he says. | “Last November the American people rose up,” he says. |
| “President Donald Trump is already delivering for the American people.” | “President Donald Trump is already delivering for the American people.” |
| 12.55am GMT | 12.55am GMT |
| 00:55 | 00:55 |
| He says Trump reminds him of Ronald Reagan, who inspired him to join the conservative movement many years ago. | He says Trump reminds him of Ronald Reagan, who inspired him to join the conservative movement many years ago. |
| He has given voice to the people’s aspirations in the same way, he says. | He has given voice to the people’s aspirations in the same way, he says. |
| “President Trump won a historic victory all across the United States of America,” he says with Trumpish exaggeration. “President Donald Trump turned the blue wall red.” | “President Trump won a historic victory all across the United States of America,” he says with Trumpish exaggeration. “President Donald Trump turned the blue wall red.” |
| 12.53am GMT | 12.53am GMT |
| 00:53 | 00:53 |
| He says this is his ninth CPAC, and reveals that this is the first time he has attended as vice-president of the United States. | He says this is his ninth CPAC, and reveals that this is the first time he has attended as vice-president of the United States. |
| He describes Trump as having “conviction, vision and courage”. Are they a little bit different? Pence is small town, Trump big city. Trump is larger than life, Pence is not. | He describes Trump as having “conviction, vision and courage”. Are they a little bit different? Pence is small town, Trump big city. Trump is larger than life, Pence is not. |
| Trump never quits, never backs down, and will never stop fighting until “we make America great again”. | Trump never quits, never backs down, and will never stop fighting until “we make America great again”. |
| 12.51am GMT | 12.51am GMT |
| 00:51 | 00:51 |
| Chants of USA! USA! break out briefly. Pence smiles. “Hello CPAC!” he yells with unusual showmanship. | Chants of USA! USA! break out briefly. Pence smiles. “Hello CPAC!” he yells with unusual showmanship. |
| 12.50am GMT | 12.50am GMT |
| 00:50 | 00:50 |
| Mike Pence takes the stage to a standing ovation and a roar from the crowd, most of whom are taking a picture of him and his wife with their phones. | Mike Pence takes the stage to a standing ovation and a roar from the crowd, most of whom are taking a picture of him and his wife with their phones. |
| 12.24am GMT | 12.24am GMT |
| 00:24 | 00:24 |
| Actor Robert Davi is warming up the crowd for Mike Pence, the final speaker. | Actor Robert Davi is warming up the crowd for Mike Pence, the final speaker. |
| He tricks the crowd by asking what slogan George HW Bush ran on in 1988. | He tricks the crowd by asking what slogan George HW Bush ran on in 1988. |
| “No new taxes!” they cry. | “No new taxes!” they cry. |
| No, he says. That was 1992. In 1988 he called for “a kinder, gentler nation”. | No, he says. That was 1992. In 1988 he called for “a kinder, gentler nation”. |
| In fact both slogans were from 1988. | In fact both slogans were from 1988. |
| Anyway ... He says this was the beginning of the end for America, because it ushered in the era of globalism only being brought to an end now by Donald Trump. | Anyway ... He says this was the beginning of the end for America, because it ushered in the era of globalism only being brought to an end now by Donald Trump. |
| 11.24pm GMT | 11.24pm GMT |
| 23:24 | 23:24 |
| White House aides Steve Bannon and Reince Priebus seemed pretty relaxed in each other’s company earlier. But not that relaxed ... | White House aides Steve Bannon and Reince Priebus seemed pretty relaxed in each other’s company earlier. But not that relaxed ... |
| Please tell me somebody else saw Priebus' reaction to Bannon trying to touch him. #CPAC2017 pic.twitter.com/oNXGEvgNhv | Please tell me somebody else saw Priebus' reaction to Bannon trying to touch him. #CPAC2017 pic.twitter.com/oNXGEvgNhv |
| 11.19pm GMT | 11.19pm GMT |
| 23:19 | 23:19 |
| Farage: Trump does it in his own remarkable way | Farage: Trump does it in his own remarkable way |
| David Smith | David Smith |
| Nigel Farage, the former leader of the UK Independence Party, has endorsed Steve Bannon’s attack on the media but declined to say whether he will meet the White House chief strategist during the conference. | Nigel Farage, the former leader of the UK Independence Party, has endorsed Steve Bannon’s attack on the media but declined to say whether he will meet the White House chief strategist during the conference. |
| “The truth of it is that too much of the establishment broadcast media in particular has effectively become wedded to this form of global social democracy that we’ve lived through for the last 20 years and I think there are genuinely questions about impartiality with a series of major broadcasters right across the west,” Farage told the Guardian. | “The truth of it is that too much of the establishment broadcast media in particular has effectively become wedded to this form of global social democracy that we’ve lived through for the last 20 years and I think there are genuinely questions about impartiality with a series of major broadcasters right across the west,” Farage told the Guardian. |
| “Trump does it in his own remarkable way but you know, public trust in these organisations has collapsed.” | “Trump does it in his own remarkable way but you know, public trust in these organisations has collapsed.” |
| Farage said he has known Bannon for “many years” but, when asked whether they had talked here, he replied cryptically: “I can’t remember.” | Farage said he has known Bannon for “many years” but, when asked whether they had talked here, he replied cryptically: “I can’t remember.” |
| The Brexit leader also attended last year’s Republican national convention in Cleveland and joined Trump on the campaign trail. Trump tweeted that he would make a great British ambassador to the US. | The Brexit leader also attended last year’s Republican national convention in Cleveland and joined Trump on the campaign trail. Trump tweeted that he would make a great British ambassador to the US. |
| Farage, who put money on a Trump victory, said: “I think it’s a wonderful refreshing change to see someone who’s been elected who’s absolutely intent on putting his platform into policy. That I like. Clearly there have been some frustrations. As a self-made man who’s done his own thing for the last 50 years, he’s not going to find that easy. He’s used to making big decisions and whether it goes well or badly, the buck stops with him. It’s tough.” | Farage, who put money on a Trump victory, said: “I think it’s a wonderful refreshing change to see someone who’s been elected who’s absolutely intent on putting his platform into policy. That I like. Clearly there have been some frustrations. As a self-made man who’s done his own thing for the last 50 years, he’s not going to find that easy. He’s used to making big decisions and whether it goes well or badly, the buck stops with him. It’s tough.” |
| Asked about Trump’s travel bans, which led to chaos and protests at airports, Farage replied: “I just don’t get the hypocrisy of all you people. Sixteen countries ban Jews [actually Israelis] going into them, you don’t say a dicky bird. This man says for 90 days he’s going to put a temporary suspension on while he looks at the vetting rules – and by the way, America’s vetting rules are quite strict already, interestingly – working out whether it’s right or not, and it’s being portrayed amongst elements in the media and by many in western politics as if it’s some sort of road to fascism or something awful. | Asked about Trump’s travel bans, which led to chaos and protests at airports, Farage replied: “I just don’t get the hypocrisy of all you people. Sixteen countries ban Jews [actually Israelis] going into them, you don’t say a dicky bird. This man says for 90 days he’s going to put a temporary suspension on while he looks at the vetting rules – and by the way, America’s vetting rules are quite strict already, interestingly – working out whether it’s right or not, and it’s being portrayed amongst elements in the media and by many in western politics as if it’s some sort of road to fascism or something awful. |
| “I just frankly think it’s the most massively over the top reaction. Now obviously he’s got caught up in legal complexity; he’s going to come back and have another try.” | “I just frankly think it’s the most massively over the top reaction. Now obviously he’s got caught up in legal complexity; he’s going to come back and have another try.” |
| Farage also dismissed persistent allegations about the Trump campaign’s connections with Russia. “It’s been interfering in every election the world for the last hundred years, as indeed America has, so this is what goes on. It doesn’t mean it’s right or good; it’s the reality. Countries spy on each other, companies spy on each other. That’s the way it works. | Farage also dismissed persistent allegations about the Trump campaign’s connections with Russia. “It’s been interfering in every election the world for the last hundred years, as indeed America has, so this is what goes on. It doesn’t mean it’s right or good; it’s the reality. Countries spy on each other, companies spy on each other. That’s the way it works. |
| “Now, the interesting thing is how does his policy apropos Russia take shape? What’s it going to be? And it’s clear there are differing views in the administration as to what the approach to Russia is, but what I do firmly think is that he will meet Putin and he will attempt to forge a better understanding between the west and Putin. Goodness me, absolutely right as far as I’m concerned.” | “Now, the interesting thing is how does his policy apropos Russia take shape? What’s it going to be? And it’s clear there are differing views in the administration as to what the approach to Russia is, but what I do firmly think is that he will meet Putin and he will attempt to forge a better understanding between the west and Putin. Goodness me, absolutely right as far as I’m concerned.” |
| Spotted at #CPAC2017 pic.twitter.com/AYFpSl3tDQ | Spotted at #CPAC2017 pic.twitter.com/AYFpSl3tDQ |
| 11.03pm GMT | 11.03pm GMT |
| 23:03 | 23:03 |
| Sabrina Siddiqui | Sabrina Siddiqui |
| Richard Barrett, a 21-year-old student who identified himself as an early Trump supporter, said he felt vindicated by the pro-Trump tone that dominated CPAC’s opening day. | Richard Barrett, a 21-year-old student who identified himself as an early Trump supporter, said he felt vindicated by the pro-Trump tone that dominated CPAC’s opening day. |
| “I was here last year, and this convention was pretty anti-Trump,” Barrett said. “It was really funny, because everybody here was ‘Never Trump’; [they said] he’s never going to win the primary, it’s going to be Ted Cruz all the way.’ | “I was here last year, and this convention was pretty anti-Trump,” Barrett said. “It was really funny, because everybody here was ‘Never Trump’; [they said] he’s never going to win the primary, it’s going to be Ted Cruz all the way.’ |
| “And, well, here we are.” | “And, well, here we are.” |
| Even those who did not initially back Trump’s candidacy had warmed up to his views, even if they often deviated from Republican orthodoxy. | Even those who did not initially back Trump’s candidacy had warmed up to his views, even if they often deviated from Republican orthodoxy. |
| Ryan Errotabere, a supporter of Cruz during the primary who stood in the CPAC corridor donning one of the Make America Great Again hats, said the term “conservatism” was often misused in the current political climate. | Ryan Errotabere, a supporter of Cruz during the primary who stood in the CPAC corridor donning one of the Make America Great Again hats, said the term “conservatism” was often misused in the current political climate. |
| “So far his cabinet is very conservative. He’s ran his presidency fairly conservative right now,” Errotabere said. | “So far his cabinet is very conservative. He’s ran his presidency fairly conservative right now,” Errotabere said. |
| “As of now, he’s been more conservative than a lot of members in Congress that call themselves conservatives.” | “As of now, he’s been more conservative than a lot of members in Congress that call themselves conservatives.” |
| Errotabere did, however, disagree with Trump’s broad characterization of the media as being “fake news”. | Errotabere did, however, disagree with Trump’s broad characterization of the media as being “fake news”. |
| “I think there’s areas of the media that are dishonest, but I’d be remiss if I said I don’t trust any news whatsoever,” he said. | “I think there’s areas of the media that are dishonest, but I’d be remiss if I said I don’t trust any news whatsoever,” he said. |
| “If it’s critical of Trump, it’s more [a question of] is it factual?” | “If it’s critical of Trump, it’s more [a question of] is it factual?” |
| Errotabere was nonetheless reticent to say Trump should tone down his attacks on the media — which have included referring to the press last week as “the enemy of the American people.” The coverage of Trump, he noted, had been overwhelmingly negative. | Errotabere was nonetheless reticent to say Trump should tone down his attacks on the media — which have included referring to the press last week as “the enemy of the American people.” The coverage of Trump, he noted, had been overwhelmingly negative. |
| Barrett was more scathing in his assessment of the Fourth Estate and its rapport with the new administration. | Barrett was more scathing in his assessment of the Fourth Estate and its rapport with the new administration. |
| “In the same way that leaks to the liberal media are a hurdle for President Trump, President Trump is a new hurdle for the liberal media,” he said. | “In the same way that leaks to the liberal media are a hurdle for President Trump, President Trump is a new hurdle for the liberal media,” he said. |
| “We’re going to double down. We’re going to fight through the ambush you set up. And we’re going to call it like it is.” | “We’re going to double down. We’re going to fight through the ambush you set up. And we’re going to call it like it is.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.05pm GMT | at 11.05pm GMT |
| 10.38pm GMT | 10.38pm GMT |
| 22:38 | 22:38 |
| David Smith | David Smith |
| David Burgess, 62, who runs a nonprofit organisation in Seattle, said it was “too early too tell” how Trump was doing so far. | David Burgess, 62, who runs a nonprofit organisation in Seattle, said it was “too early too tell” how Trump was doing so far. |
| “There is obviously a lot of organised opposition. They need to deliver on their priorities and whether they can remains to be seen,” he said. | “There is obviously a lot of organised opposition. They need to deliver on their priorities and whether they can remains to be seen,” he said. |
| He thought the role of the alt right in conservatism was “overblown”. | He thought the role of the alt right in conservatism was “overblown”. |
| “There’s a lot of political jockeying back and forth. Liberals like to label the right extremists and conservatives like the label the left extremists. Some of the ideas of the Trump people like Bannon may not be traditional, but I think the antisemitism charges are over the top. It’s political posturing; it’s the game they play.” | “There’s a lot of political jockeying back and forth. Liberals like to label the right extremists and conservatives like the label the left extremists. Some of the ideas of the Trump people like Bannon may not be traditional, but I think the antisemitism charges are over the top. It’s political posturing; it’s the game they play.” |
| He said Trump and co “seem to enjoy prodding the media and the media takes the bait. The media would be better sticking to their jobs and reporting fairly. If you read headlines and watch CNN, you just can’t be outraged by every single thing. They need to take a pill, have a glass of wine and just do their jobs. If everyone stuck to their jobs, America would be a better place.” | He said Trump and co “seem to enjoy prodding the media and the media takes the bait. The media would be better sticking to their jobs and reporting fairly. If you read headlines and watch CNN, you just can’t be outraged by every single thing. They need to take a pill, have a glass of wine and just do their jobs. If everyone stuck to their jobs, America would be a better place.” |
| Deborah Aldrich, 60, a political activist from Salt Lake City, said Trump was doing “great” so far. | Deborah Aldrich, 60, a political activist from Salt Lake City, said Trump was doing “great” so far. |
| “There may have been a few little hiccups at the beginning but he’s not a professional politician, he’s a successful businessman. He’s keeping the promises he made.” | “There may have been a few little hiccups at the beginning but he’s not a professional politician, he’s a successful businessman. He’s keeping the promises he made.” |
| She said she considered herself “in the middle of the road”. | She said she considered herself “in the middle of the road”. |
| “We are a party of inclusivity. We don’t want to discriminate against people. The alt-right doesn’t really have a platform here.” | “We are a party of inclusivity. We don’t want to discriminate against people. The alt-right doesn’t really have a platform here.” |
| She agreed with Bannon about the media. “It’s almost impossible to turn on MSNBC, CNN or the liberal media, or pick up a newspaper because most of them are liberal, and get an honest view. That’s why I went to many of Trump’s rallies: I wanted to see for myself the message he was giving, the people who were there.” | She agreed with Bannon about the media. “It’s almost impossible to turn on MSNBC, CNN or the liberal media, or pick up a newspaper because most of them are liberal, and get an honest view. That’s why I went to many of Trump’s rallies: I wanted to see for myself the message he was giving, the people who were there.” |
| Joseph Enders, 22, a student from Chicago now living in New York, who was wearing a red USA baseball cap and a parody Bernie Sanders T-shirt that says, said Trump was “holding up on a lot of his campaign promises” and “doing a really good job”. | Joseph Enders, 22, a student from Chicago now living in New York, who was wearing a red USA baseball cap and a parody Bernie Sanders T-shirt that says, said Trump was “holding up on a lot of his campaign promises” and “doing a really good job”. |
| He added: “I keep up on the news, and not fake news ... I stand with Bannon because I stand for honest reporting. Where are all the Walter Cronkites?” | He added: “I keep up on the news, and not fake news ... I stand with Bannon because I stand for honest reporting. Where are all the Walter Cronkites?” |
| Of the alt right, he said: “It’s growing but I don’t think the race wing of it is growing. Nationalism is part of the alt right but doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing.” | Of the alt right, he said: “It’s growing but I don’t think the race wing of it is growing. Nationalism is part of the alt right but doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.38pm GMT | at 10.38pm GMT |
| 10.23pm GMT | 10.23pm GMT |
| 22:23 | 22:23 |
| George Longobardi of Marlboro, NJ, said he thought Trump was doing “a pretty good job so far”. | George Longobardi of Marlboro, NJ, said he thought Trump was doing “a pretty good job so far”. |
| He said he thought the president was a “pragmatic person … a businessman”, rather than a conservative. | He said he thought the president was a “pragmatic person … a businessman”, rather than a conservative. |
| The wall between the US and Mexico would not necessarily be “a stone and brick wall”, he predicted, and he felt it would be paid for through “lowering taxes [that] will create more revenue for the government in the long run”; Trump would also save money through cutting waste, he felt. | The wall between the US and Mexico would not necessarily be “a stone and brick wall”, he predicted, and he felt it would be paid for through “lowering taxes [that] will create more revenue for the government in the long run”; Trump would also save money through cutting waste, he felt. |
| Longobardi had been to CPAC last year for the first time, but this year “the spirit is different, the energy is different. People feel the country is back on the right track … And more well-attended this year. More people I guess here looking for jobs, too.” | Longobardi had been to CPAC last year for the first time, but this year “the spirit is different, the energy is different. People feel the country is back on the right track … And more well-attended this year. More people I guess here looking for jobs, too.” |
| What was his view of the alt right, the far right group which has become increasingly influential? “Well, they had a talk about it today and they said it was a hijacked slogan of the Republican conservative party,” said Longobardi. “I think that labels both ways, labels against Muslims or labels against conservatives, are wrong. You continue to do the right thing, all of that falls away.” | What was his view of the alt right, the far right group which has become increasingly influential? “Well, they had a talk about it today and they said it was a hijacked slogan of the Republican conservative party,” said Longobardi. “I think that labels both ways, labels against Muslims or labels against conservatives, are wrong. You continue to do the right thing, all of that falls away.” |
| He added: “If they’re all back to work, if the areas are safer, if minority children get a better education, if all these things happen, all that fades away.” | He added: “If they’re all back to work, if the areas are safer, if minority children get a better education, if all these things happen, all that fades away.” |
| He felt the Democrats were “doing themselves a disservice” by “screaming about everything”. “They need to pick their battles, for a real reason that they can win, not just to be obstructionist.” | He felt the Democrats were “doing themselves a disservice” by “screaming about everything”. “They need to pick their battles, for a real reason that they can win, not just to be obstructionist.” |
| He added: “The media has taken over from them now because they’ve left a vacuum. They’re doing nothing. They’re promoting nobody to run for president in four years … They have to get their act together and until they can the media is picking up the slack for them. All they do is cry and moan – not that I can blame them; they’re pretty disappointed.” | He added: “The media has taken over from them now because they’ve left a vacuum. They’re doing nothing. They’re promoting nobody to run for president in four years … They have to get their act together and until they can the media is picking up the slack for them. All they do is cry and moan – not that I can blame them; they’re pretty disappointed.” |
| But he didn’t agree with White House aide Steve Bannon’s description of the media as “the opposition party”. “I do think the media does lean left of centre … He’s from a conservative background, Breitbart, so that’s his prejudice, that;s his bias. Do I believe all of it? No. But I do think, again, his point, they do lean left of centre.” | But he didn’t agree with White House aide Steve Bannon’s description of the media as “the opposition party”. “I do think the media does lean left of centre … He’s from a conservative background, Breitbart, so that’s his prejudice, that;s his bias. Do I believe all of it? No. But I do think, again, his point, they do lean left of centre.” |