New York Daily News

Bannon has fever dream of a ’20 run

- BY DENIS SLATTERY

COULD THE Oval Office get even more frightenin­g?

Former White House strategist Stephen Bannon told an adviser in October that he would consider running for President if Trump didn’t seek a second term in 2020.

Vanity Fair, which published the startling revelation on Thursday, reported that Bannon believes Trump could be impeached.

“In private conversati­ons since leaving the White House, Bannon said Trump only has a 30% chance of serving out his term,” the magazine reported.

Bannon, according to Vanity Fair, said Trump has “lost a step.”

“He’s like an 11-year-old chid,” Bannon quipped to a pal last month.

Bannon, who was booted from the West Wing in August, also made headlines Thursday after being mocked by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for losing a Senate race in the “reddest state in America.”

McConnell dissed Bannon, the farright conservati­ve head of Breitbart News, for backing Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, a judge known for homophobic and racist rhetoric and allegation­s of sexual misconduct involving teenage girls.

“The kind of people you’re talking about — that element — just managed to blow a Senate race in the reddest state in America,” McConnell told Axios host Mike Allen.

Still, Bannon has remained close to Trump, according to the Vanity Fair piece written by Gabriel Sherman. Trump and Bannon often speak on the phone.

“Bannon praised Trump during our conversati­ons,” Sherman wrote. “He said he’s the best orator since William Jennings Bryan. He doesn’t deny he was unhappy in the White House.”

Bannon (photo) relished his time with Trump, but feels more in control since leaving his old boss.

“It was always a job,” he said. “I realize in hindsight I was just a staffer, and I’m not a good staffer. I had influence, I had a lot of influence, but just influence.”

“I have power. I can actually drive things in a certain direction.”

Bannon, contemplat­ing his future, said he has no fear of political failure.

“I’m not a political operative,” he told Sherman, “I’m a revolution­ary.”

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