World
Donald Trump's new chief strategist Stephen Bannon accused of antisemitism
November 14, 2016 11:18
By, Charlotte Oliver
1 min read
ByCharlotte Oliver, Charlotte Oliver
Donald Trump’s appointment of an aide who has previously been accused of antisemitism as his chief strategist and senior counsellor has been met with concern from Jewish groups and leading figures.
Stephen Bannon, a former media boss who stepped down as head of Breitbart News to help Mr Trump’s election campaign, has regularly been criticised for his views.
In 2007, Mr Bannon was accused by his ex-wife of saying he did not want his daughter “going to school with Jews”.
In a court statement in 2007, Mr Bannon's former wife, Mary Louise Piccard, alleged that he had not wanted his girls to attend a top Los Angeles private school because "he doesn’t like Jews and he doesn’t like the way they raise their kids to be ‘whiny brats’."
A spokeswoman for Mr Bannon previously denied the allegations.
He has also been supported by the former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke.
Under his leadership, Breitbart, a political news website, became increasingly right-wing and nationalistic.
On the appointment of Mr Bannon, the Anti-Defamation League said: "It is a sad day when a man who presided over the premier website of the 'alt-right' - a loose-knit group of white nationalists and unabashed antisemites and racists - is slated to be a senior staff member in the 'people's house'."
News of Mr Bannon’s appointment drew further outrage, with John Weaver, a leading Republican political consultant, tweeting:
The racist, fascist extreme right is represented footsteps from the Oval Office. Be very vigilant America.
— John Weaver (@JWGOP) November 13, 2016
Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, will serve as Mr Trump’s White House chief of staff.
Announcing the new roles, president-elect Mr Trump said: “Steve and Reince are highly qualified leaders who worked well together on our campaign and led us to a historic victory.
“Now I will have them both with me in the White House as we work to make America great again.”
We're watching unabashed bigotry creep into the White House right before our eyes. This isn't about left vs right. It's about right vs wrong https://t.co/Qe8OUd0D3m
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) November 14, 2016
Meanwhile, the fallout from Mr Trump’s election worsened over the weekend, when a school dormitory in New York City was vandalised with swastikas.
Students at New York City’s New School woke up to find swastikas daubed on four doors.
It has been reported that hate-related attacks against minorities have surged since Mr Trump’s victory.
This article has been amended