
The White House on Monday remained firm in its rejection of Stephen Bannon's apology for attacking President TrumpDonald TrumpTrump: McConnell 'helpless' to stop Biden from packing court Romney on NRSC awarding Trump: Not 'my preference' McConnell sidesteps Trump calling him 'dumb son of a b----' MORE's children in a new book, saying that first daughter Ivanka Trump
Ivanka TrumpFour players lead Florida's golden age of Republican dominance GAO hammers Ivanka Trump's policy program Trump makes appearance at Mar-a-Lago dog rescue fundraiser MORE and her husband, Jared Kushner
Jared Corey KushnerThe Memo: Biden's five biggest foreign policy challenges Trump in talks to partner with apps to create social media network: report Colin Kahl's nomination will be a disaster for Israel and the region MORE, are "sacrificing" to serve the American people.
"When you go after somebody's family in the manner in which he did — two of the president's children who are serving this nation, sacrificing in their service — it is repugnant, it is grotesque," Trump spokesman Hogan Gidley told reporters aboard Air Force One.
"They both gave up personal and private lives to come work at the White House and work for the American people. They do that every day. And it's ridiculous for anyone to try and attack what they do for this nation," he added.
Gidley's remarks come after the former chief strategist was quoted in Michael Wolff's new book, “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House,
Neither Kushner nor Ivanka Trump takes a salary for their work as White House advisers.
Bannon is also quoted in the book as saying Donald Trump Jr.Don TrumpTrump Jr. shares edited video showing father knocking Biden down with golf ball Trump: 'I can't imagine' any Republican would beat me in 2024 primary if I run Trump Jr.: There are 'plenty' of GOP incumbents who should be challenged MORE's controversial June 2016 meeting with a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower was “treasonous” and “unpatriotic” — an attack he later walked back.
Bannon's shots at the president's family ignited the fury of Trump, who sought to distance himself from the former White House aide and painted him as a deranged and bitter former staffer.
Trump took to Twitter to slam the book, while calling Bannon "Sloppy Steve."
Michael Wolff is a total loser who made up stories in order to sell this really boring and untruthful book. He used Sloppy Steve Bannon
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018Stephen (Steve) Kevin BannonTrump denies Gaetz asked him for blanket pardon Both the left and the right discriminate against Asian Americans Hillicon Valley: John Matze takes on Parler | Prince Harry heads to Silicon Valley | YouTube leaves up Boulder shooting video MORE, who cried when he got fired and begged for his job. Now Sloppy Steve has been dumped like a dog by almost everyone. Too bad! https://t.co/mEeUhk5ZV9
Days after the Breitbart News chief executive faced a heavy fallout from allies and donors alike for his comments, Bannon came forward with a statement of "regret."
"Donald Trump, Jr. is both a patriot and a good man. He has been relentless in his advocacy for his father and the agenda that has helped turn our country around," Bannon said in a statement to Axios, emphasizing that he meant the comments to be about former campaign chairman Paul ManafortPaul John ManafortHunter Biden blasts Trump in new book: 'A vile man with a vile mission' Prosecutors drop effort to seize three Manafort properties after Trump pardon FBI offers 0K reward for Russian figure Kilimnik MORE.
"I regret that my delay in responding to the inaccurate reporting regarding Don Jr. has diverted attention from the president's historical accomplishments in the first year of his presidency," he added, without walking back his remarks about Ivanka Trump and Kushner.
Gidley suggested Bannon crossed a red line going after the president's family.
"I challenge anybody to go and talk about someone else's family and see if that person doesn't come back, and come back hard," Gidley added.