Bannon joined forces with Chinese billionaire whose case has divided Trump’s allies

Bannon has told others that in his role as chief White House strategist he personally shielded the billionaire.

“I was the protector,” he told The Wire China in an interview conducted with the publication before his arrest. “When I was inside the White House, I took the files and put them in my office and said, ‘Whoever wants this guy, this guy is a pretty valuable hombre.’ “

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Bannon’s financial relationship with Guo began about the same time. According to an internal memo obtained by The Post, sometime before the end of 2017, a company linked to Guo loaned Bannon $150,000.

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In August 2018, Bannon signed a one-year deal to consult for Guo Media, owned by a company incorporated in Delaware, for $1 million. Bannon’s contract was first reported and posted online by Axios.

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Guo told The Post that Bannon had been removed from his role as chairman of the board after his arrest and played no part in raising funds for the company.

However, the men’s partnership has continued. Bannon was released from custody last month on a $5 million bond while he awaits a trial scheduled for May.