President Donald Trump’s feud with ex-chief strategist Steve Bannon escalated late Thursday when the president bestowed a disparaging nickname upon his former staffer.
Trump heightened his fierce criticism of Bannon for derogatory remarks about the administration reported in Michael Wolff’s new book Fire and Fury, by calling him “Sloppy Steve” via Twitter:
I authorized Zero access to White House (actually turned him down many times) for author of phony book! I never spoke to him for book. Full of lies, misrepresentations and sources that don’t exist. Look at this guy’s past and watch what happens to him and Sloppy Steve!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018
The presidential insult predictably sent people on Twitter into overdrive as the term “Sloppy Steve” trended around the world.
Some chided Trump for childish name-calling, while others compared the smear with other offensive nicknames Trump has dished out to political enemies.
A sampling of the responses are below:
Looks like the ball’s in Sloppy Steve’s court.
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) January 5, 2018
Presidential phrases
— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) January 5, 2018
FDR: Only thing we have to fear is fear itself
JFK: Ask not what ur country will do for u. Ask what u will do for ur country
Reagan: Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall!
Trump:
Low-energy Jeb
Liddle Marco
Lyin Ted
Crooked Hillary
Flake the Flake
Sloppy Steve
I straight-up just guessed a vegan recipe for a “Sloppy Steve” would exist and I was right pic.twitter.com/vo9hQ3sHtz
— julia reinstein (@juliareinstein) January 5, 2018
I don’t think Mike Pence is allowed to perform a Sloppy Steve unless Mother is present.
— Brandon Cloud (@theclobra) January 5, 2018
Sloppy Steve sounds like a Great Value version of Sloppy Joe.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) January 5, 2018
Trump called Steve Bannon "Sloppy Steve". This, for the record, is how Trump drinks water. pic.twitter.com/smxFe6Vkop
— Pé Resists (@4everNeverTrump) January 5, 2018
Hey, Deceitful Donald!
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) January 5, 2018
You still awake?
Sloppy Steve is trending.
I think we can all endorse "Sloppy Steve" as Bannon's nickname. Uniting America for once! https://t.co/O6eDuw4jwE
— Josh Barro (@jbarro) January 5, 2018
After hearing Donald Trumps latest insult “Sloppy Steve” let me commend Melania of really kicking her cyber bullying campaign in high gear in 2018.
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) January 5, 2018
A Sloppy Steve is just a Sloppy Joe made by a white supremacist.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) January 5, 2018
As much as I hate to admit it, "Sloppy Steve" is branding gold. It's gonna stick.
— Jeff B (@EsotericCD) January 5, 2018
Donald Trump now says Steve Bannon has lost his mind and mocks him as “sloppy Steve.”
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) January 5, 2018
He was the Chairman of Trump’s campaign, the Chief Strategist of the White House, and was placed by Trump onto the National Security Council.
He was Trump’s right hand man. His brain. Period.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.