If there's any parallel with the rise of Steve Bannon it's the work of Vladislav Surkov to undermine reality itself and keep people in a constant state of confusion.  We are seeing the same phenomenon where Trump can say one thing, tweet the opposite position, and then deny he ever said anything about it at all.  It keeps people constantly confused about what his true intentions are and both his supporters and his detractors have bits and pieces which reinforce their prejudices.

The media and the public are wholly unprepared for the new reality.