A book, The Bad Boys of Brexit, by Farage associate Arron banks, gives delicious behind-the scenes details of how a chance encounter between a staffer of Gov. The Republican National Convention laid the foundation for this unusual political connection between Phil Bryant, Farage and a Mississippi staffer. This summary summarizes Banks’ book on the Mississippi side of the political union between Trump and Farage, a political camaraderie which continues to this day. Farage was the first British politician ever to meet Trump since his election, which upset the feathers of the establishment politicians in the United Kingdom. Brexit is shorthand for “British Exit” and refers to Britain’s June vote to leave the European Union. Trump called his candidacy “Brexit Plus” during his campaign. This was a reference to Trump’s support from Americans, which was largely based on widespread frustration with establishment politics and the movement that saw 52 percent of UK citizens vote to leave the E.U. Banks’ book explains that Farage’s Mississippi trip was the result of an encounter at a bar after the close of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Farage, who had just hours earlier witnessed the New York business mogul being nominated by the Republican Party for the presidency, decided to have one more round at his hotel bar at 4:30 AM before retiring for the night. Farage and an associate sat down at a bar and struck up a conversation about Gov. John Bartley Boykin was Phil Bryant’s aide and was staying in the same hotel. Boykin, who is a frequent companion to Bryant at almost every private or public function, suggested that the British politician visit Mississippi. Banks writes that Farage assumed that the invitation would not be accepted “amid the alcohol-fueled joy” of Trump’s nomination. Farage’s staff received a formal invitation from Bryant’s Office the next day. This began “one of Farage’s most extraordinary political trips” according to Banks. *** Farage was able to get off his plane at the Jackson-Evers International Airport on Aug. 23 and entered Gov. He and two of his aides had consumed four bottles of wine before boarding Phil Bryant’s SUV blacked-out SUV. Banks wrote that Farage requested three “filthy” cappuccino martinis before the trio boarded the plane at London Heathrow. He says that the team arrived in Jackson “eleven hours later” and had already consumed four bottles of red wines. Bryant’s office declined comment to Banks’ book about the events. Banks wrote that the team received their itinerary while en route to the governor’s mansion in the state’s SUV. On the day following Trump’s visit to Jackson, Farage was interviewed by J.T. on Supertalk Mississippi radio. Williamson will meet with Mississippi GOP supporters in the morning and then have lunch that afternoon before speaking at Trump’s fundraising dinner that evening. Banks wrote that the day would end with Farage being present, but not scheduled to speak, at the rally. Governor Banks writes that Bryant and Deborah welcomed them enthusiastically. “Nigel it’s an honor, thank you so very much for coming,” Gov. According to Banks’ account, Bryant stated this. Banks writes that Bryant and he “hit it off instantly.” Farage and his friends ate at the mansion’s state dinner. Banks wrote that guests at the dinner couldn’t get enough of Farage’s Brexit stories. Bryant asked Farage to come along to his “man cave,” where he told Farage that he was looking for a way to get more of the Brexit stories from Farage. “In true old-school fashion, the ladies said goodnight, and then the men entered the garage outside. It was filled with motorbikes and old Chevy cars, comfortable chairs, and the finest tobacco the South had to offer,” Banks writes. Bryant suggested that Farage speak on the stage before Trump in the garage. Farage accepted the offer and was driven to Belhaven’s Fairview Inn where the British team stayed the duration of their Mississippi trip. *** Farage was already a member of J.T. *** Farage joined J.T. on the morning of August 24. Political reporters and other Mississippians took to social media to express surprise and confusion at his visit. Farage stated that he was visiting the state to support Trump. This was a story that received national and international media attention. The surprise guest was prepared for viewers by cable news networks who were already covering the Trump rally in Jackson. The J.T. Farage spoke mostly on the similarities between the Brexit movement, and Trump’s candidacy, during the J.T. Farage called Mississippi “a good place” and J.T. Farage said that J.T. and Farage had discussed deer hunting in a commercial break. Farage stated that he would speak at the rally tonight and that the majority of the audience will be Republican. “I want them to know that they shouldn’t just sit and complain about Hillary Clinton at the local bar. You have to walk if you want to make a difference. There are many parallels between the people who voted for Brexit and those who could defeat Clinton. It could happen.” Banks writes that Farage was contacted by Steve Bannon, the co-founder of Breitbart News. (Bannon was appointed Trump’s chief strategist earlier in the week. Bannon inquired about Farage’s plans for the speech at the rally and fundraiser later that day. Trump was due to visit the Jackson Convention Complex downtown that evening to address attendees at a $1,000 per-head invitation-only dinner. Initial plans for Trump’s Mississippi trip in August were to raise money. The Mississippi visit, which took place in August and was 90 days before the general election, puzzled both national and Mississippi political leaders. This story was posted on Mississippi Today. The state Republican Party added the rally after news of the fundraiser was leaked to appease Mississippi’s conservative base. “They set up the fundraiser first and then added the rally later,” Pete Perry, chairman, Hinds County GOP at the time, said to Mississippi Today. The campaign stated that he was available for an additional hour. What can we do? Organizing the fundraiser is not unusual. It was a good idea. It’s not easy to raise money here but they’ll do it.” Farage met Trump shortly before the dinner in a waiting room at the convention centre. According to Banks, Trump entered the room and asked Farage for a drink. Farage had a gin-and-tonic in his hand. Banks writes that Trump strode up to Farage and gave him a hug. He congratulated him for ‘a great job in winning Brexit’. Mississippi Today was informed by two guests that Farage’s speech was a rerun of his radio interview earlier in the morning. The British politician spoke mostly about similarities between Trump’s candidacy and Brexit. They said that attendees stood up to give Farage a standing ovation after he was done. *** Just a few blocks away, Trump supporters thronged the Mississippi Coliseum in large numbers to welcome the candidate and his guests. Banks writes in his book that Trump was so happy with Farage’s speech at dinner just minutes earlier, that he told his campaign staff that he would rearrange the rally’s schedule to allow Farage to speak onstage. “Mr. “Mr. “Nigel will speak six minutes, then he will leave. Banks said that Farage went outside to light a cigarette to “calm his nerves.” Trump, Bryant, Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, and Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City Mayor, walked onto stage at 7 p.m. Banks claims that Giuliani was unable to speak because his scheduled time was cut to accommodate Farage. Trump entered the podium and introduced Farage just a few minutes later. Banks whispered backstage, “This is nuts.” Farage was met with subdued applause upon his introduction. Farage again drew parallels between Brexit, Trump’s goal to “redeclare American independence on November 8.” The crowd grew louder as Farage’s speech came to an end. Farage declared, “If I were an American citizen, then I wouldn’t vote Hillary Clinton if they paid me.” This drew roaring cheers from the crowd. To continue this important work, you can support this work by making a regular donation to our Spring Member Drive. Our reporters give a human face to policy’s impact on everyday Mississippians by listening more closely and understanding their communities. To ensure that our work is aligned with the priorities and needs of Mississippians, we are listening to you. Click the button below to let us know what you think. Republish this Story You can freely republish our articles online or in print under a Creative Commons licence. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Mississippi Today, Adam Ganucheau
November 15, 2016, Adam Ganucheau is Mississippi Today’s editor in chief. He oversees the newsroom with the editorial staff to achieve our mission of producing journalism that is both high-quality and public-interest. Since February 2016, Adam Ganucheau has been covering politics and state government at Mississippi Today. A native of Hazlehurst, Adam has worked as a staff reporter for AL.com, The Birmingham News and The Clarion-Ledger and his work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post and Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Adam received his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Mississippi. This romcom would be great if you added Coldplay’s “Clocks”, and a narrator with a soft, boomy voice to the piece. Phil Bryant was a matchmaker for white nationalists and presidential candidates who supported that nationalism. This is a story that historians will remember fondly. Whites make countries better. We don’t want inferior cultures from Africa or the middle east to destroy what Europeans have created. Steve, you are correct. You should own your country. Mayoland could provide a refuge from mediocrity, entitlement. This is a typical smug liberal response. There’s no argument or content, just puerile humor that isn’t very funny. Patrick, I made my position clear in my original post. Your response shows that you didn’t really read the entire post.