The White House defended President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner after former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon attacked them extensively in a new book about the administration.
“They both gave up personal and private lives to come work at the White House and work for the American people,” White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley told reporters on Air Force One, adding that the couple was “sacrificing in their service” to the United States.
“They do that every day,” Gidley added. “And it’s ridiculous for anyone to try and attack what they do for this nation.”
Gidley appeared doubtful that former chief adviser Steve Bannon could win back the good graces of President Donald Trump, despite expressing regret for some of the comments he made about the president and his son Donald Trump, Jr.
“I don’t believe there’s any way back for Mr. Bannon at this point,” he said frankly.
He admitted that he hadn’t personally talked to the president about Bannon’s apology, but pointed out that Bannon had gone after two members of the president’s family who were serving in the administration.
“It is repugnant, it is grotesque,” Gidley said. “And I challenge anybody to go and talk about someone else’s family and see if that person doesn’t come back and come back hard.”
Gidley said that it was obvious that Bannon worked extensively with author Michael Wolff for his explosive book about the Trump administration, something that the president was still angry about. He added that there was “zero ambiguity” in Trump’s statement condemning Bannon.
“Again, I just don’t think there’s any way back at this point,” he concluded.