Has someone written out the playbook and timings, there must be a Bayesian decision tree that will correctly predict the sequence and timing of Trump's responses:
Distance denial "Who is Steve Bannon? I dunno that guy."
Modified distance denial "I do know Steve Bannon. But haven't had to deal with him in a long time"
Distance denial with defence "I do know Steve Bannon. He's a very fine person. But haven't had to deal with him in a long time"
Don't like it "It's a shame this happened."
Don't like it and it's an attack on Trump: "Well this is just a hoax, you know. it's a disgrace."
Identify the true enemy "All those federal agencies being involved in his prosecution are proof that the deep state is corrupt and out to get the Donald."
Hype up the base by discrediting law enforcement "His prosecution is a disgrace!"
-> move to commute sentence or pardon or some such.