President Donald Trump has parted ways with controversial strategist Steve Bannon, after weeks of speculation and as the administration reels from the fallout over Trump's response to a violent white supremacist rally.
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Bannon is the latest in a series of high-profile casualties in Trump's inner circle, including press secretary Sean Spicer, chief of staff Reince Priebus and communications director Anthony Scaramucci.
Seen as the driving force behind Trump's nationalist-populist agenda - making him a hero of the so-called "alt right" - Bannon's presence at the White House has been contested from the start.
With Trump under fire from all sides for insisting anti-racism protesters were equally to blame for violence stemming from a weekend rally staged by neo-Nazis and white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, the president faced renewed pressure to let go of his firebrand aide.
In announcing the 63-year-old Bannon's departure, the White House did not specify whether he had resigned or - as was widely reported - was forced out.
"White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Steve Bannon have mutually agreed today would be Steve's last day," Trump's press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement. "We are grateful for his service and wish him the best."
