Trump official tells MSNBC host: Steve Bannon is like Rachel Maddow for 'the other side'
Jason Miller, communications director for Donald Trump's transition team, insisted to MSNBC host Kristen Welker that former Breitbart chairman Steve Bannon has lived a lived a life of inclusivity, making him a valuable adviser to the new president.
Welker pointed out to Miller during a Wednesday interview that Bannon's popularity among white nationalists would "undercut President-elect Trump's attempt to unify the country."
But Miller argued that Bannon was "someone who has embraced diversity."
"I think some of your descriptions were way out of bounds here," the Trump official told Welker. "Steve Bannon is a Zionist, he is someone who is so solidly pro-Israel, he went and founded Breitbart Jerusalem. He's someone, his entire life -- everything from mentoring African-Americans youth during his life. I mean, he's had this great record."
"He may have had a populist website that thrives on political commentary," Miller continued. "Much in the same way that on the other side MSNBC has its political commentary in the evenings that probably gets things a little bit ratcheted up and tries to get some extra views. I totally respect that."
Welker declined to press Miller about how Bannon was like primetime MSNBC hosts Chris Hayes, Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O'Donnell. But she noted that Bannon had called Breitbart "a platform for the alt-right."
"Those are his words," Welker said. "He is still someone in the minds and the eyes of many people of color all across this country is a symbol of someone who is not going to embrace them."
"I've seen him bring people together for inclusion and embrace diversity," Miller insisted. "The way that he helped take this populist message into the inner cities, our urban renewal plan the president elect put together."
"This is a White House that's going to do really great things," the Trump aide concluded.
Watch this video below from MSNBC, broadcast Nov. 16, 2016.