The departure of Steve Bannon could help President Donald Trump become more disciplined, but the president will "also have to heal himself" now that the controversial chief strategist is gone, The Wall Street Journal editorial staff said Friday.
"The most important fact about Stephen Bannon's resignation Friday from the White House staff is that he essentially fired himself," the newspaper's editors wrote. "His departure gives President Trump a chance to revive his listing fortunes, if he draws the right lessons."
Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tennessee and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich both warned Trump that he will need to become more successful, making their opinions known following Trump's statements on the violent protests that shook Charlottesville, Virginia and the nation last weekend.
Gingrich told Fox News on Thursday that Trump is "much more isolated than he thinks he is," and that he must become "substantially more resilient and reliable" if he hopes to succeed."
He also said that much of Trump's issues have come because of "self-inflicted" scandals.
Bannon's dismissal was triggered when he told the left-wing American Prospect, when he spoke of his doubts about Trump's policy to North Korea, and when he insulted many of his White House colleagues.
"Mr. Bannon has been telling people privately that he never expected to last even this long, so maybe he was trying to get fired to fulfill his prophesy," the Wall Street Journal's editors wrote.
Bannon will get the credit for making Trump's campaign more disciplined and helping to bring it across the finish line, and for advocating Neil Gorsuch for the Supreme Court.
"Yet by any measure the rest of the Bannon Presidency was a colossal failure," the editorial said, as Bannon, who has returned to his job at the top of Breitbart news, brought his rough campaign style to the White House.
He also was behind many of Trump's disasters, including the push for a travel ban, but the Charlottesville aftermath showed Trump catering to Bannon's base, not helping Americans heal.
"Mr. Trump was elected president of the country, not the Breitbart readership," the editorial said.
Now that Bannon is back to Breitbart, he'll be able to wage attacks on people like White House national security adviser H.R. McMaster and others.
Bannon's departure also does not mean the White House will lack for conservatives, as several others, including Vice President Mike Pence's staff, remain, noted the newspaper.
Bannon's firing also signals that Trump may be wanting fewer fights in the West Wing and more order. However, the Wall Street Journal noted, Trump often contributes to the stress, through his tweets and by not sticking with decisions.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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