Bannon criticizes DeSantis and Musk outside courtroom in his New York felony case

Steve Bannon had harsh words for one of former President Donald Trump’s rivals for the Republican presidential nomination on Thursday.

As Bannon walked out of court after the latest New York State hearing in his felony money laundering case, CBS News asked him about Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign announcement. Error-filled audio event On the social media site Twitter.

“I thought it was a complete disaster. Elon Musk is a complete disaster. He is owned by the Chinese Communist Party,” Bannon said, referring to the CEO of Twitter, which hosted DeSantis’ announcement.

Bannon, who was Trump’s chief White House strategist and CEO of the 2016 campaign, was charged in September 2022 with his role in a group that privately sought to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. had gathered millions of people by promising Prosecutors from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office alleged that he pocketed some of the money in return.

Bannon’s trial is scheduled for May 27, 2024, New York Judge Joan Murchin said Thursday.

The trial was originally scheduled for November 2023, but the case was delayed when Bannon had to change lawyers. His original lawyers told Merchan in January that he and Bannon had “irreconcilable” differences.

Murchan, who also presides over Trump. Serious falsification of business records case, said he accepted the delayed start of the trial because both sides in the Bannon case said they were satisfied with the date. Trump’s case is scheduled to go on trial on March 25, 2024. He has pleaded not guilty.

Bannon suffered a similar fate Federal charges But in 2020 Apology by Trump In the final hours of his presidency. Presidential pardons do not apply to state charges.

In a separate federal trial, Bannon was sentenced in October 2022 to four months in prison after a jury convicted him of violating a subpoena by the House Select Committee investigating the January 6, 2021 attack. was convicted on two counts of criminal contempt. US Capitol. He must also pay $6,500 in financial penalties.

Bannon was. Convicted in July, and he remains free while his legal team appeals the conviction.