Steve Bannon attacks George W Bush's 'destructive' presidency

Steve Bannon claims the former US president embarrassed himself by attacking Donald Trump's administration in a speech.11:21, UK,Saturday21October2017Steve Bannon has hit out at George W BushDonald Trump's former chief strategist Steve Bannon has attacked George W Bush - calling his presidency"destructive".The ex-White House adviser also claimed the former US president has no idea whether "he is coming or going, just like it was when he was president".The scathing remarks came after the Republican, who served two terms between 2000 and 2008, hit out at bigotryin American politics during the Trump era.The former president has criticised the current administrationIn a speech in New Yorkearlier this week,Mr Bush warned the rise of "nativism", isolationism and conspiracy theories have clouded the country's true identity.But Mr Bannon, speaking to a crowd at a California Republican Party convention inOrange County, said the 43rd president had embarrassed himself and did not know what he was talking about."There has never been a more destructive presidency than George Bush's," Mr Bannon said, with some in thecrowd booing when the former president's name was mentioned.Mr Bannon also attacked the Republican establishment in Washington, calling the"permanent political class" one of the great dangers faced by the country.He went on to call for an "open revolt" against them.Bannon: Bush presidency 'most destructive'Mr Bannon also targeted Silicon Valley and its "lords of technology" - predictingtech leaders and progressives in California would try to break away from the union in 10 to 15 years.He called the threat to split up the nation a "living problem".A small group of protesters chanted and waved signs outside the hotel where Mr Bannon spoke - one of them brandishing a Nazi swastika.Mr Bush, 71, had used his speech a few days ago to warn white supremacy and falsehoods were coarsening the tone of the US and threatening its democracy.He said: "Bigotry seems emboldened. Ourpolitics seems more vulnerable to conspiracy theories and outright fabrication."Although he did not mention President Trump by name, Mr Bush was clearly criticising the current administration and its controversial policies.