Steve Bannon#Filmography

Stephen Kevin Bannon was born November 27, 1953,{{Cite news |title=Steve Bannon interview: 'You're insane! You're the party of Davos propaganda machine!'|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200823142552/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/steve-bannon-interview-you-re-insane-you-re-the-party-of-davos-propaganda-machine-x5mxkd67s|archive-date=August 23, 2020|website=The Times |first1=Damian |last1=Whitworth |first2=Steve |last2=Bannon |date=November 17, 2018 |location=London Bridge Street |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/steve-bannon-interview-you-re-insane-you-re-the-party-of-davos-propaganda-machine-x5mxkd67s|access-date=March 25, 2021|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=An Astrologer Predicts the Fate of Everyone in the White House|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/an-astrologer-predicts-the-fate-of-everyone-in-the-white-house/ |date=June 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808043631/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/newbjd/an-astrologer-predicts-the-fate-of-everyone-in-the-white-house |archive-date=August 8, 2017 |location=New York |access-date=August 23, 2020|website=vice.com|url-status=live|language=en}}[https://www.britannica.com/facts/Steve-Bannon Steve Bannon: Facts & Related Content], Encyclopedia Britannica [https://web.archive.org/web/20220722153529/https://www.britannica.com/facts/Steve-Bannon Archived copy]. Archived July 22, 2022. in Norfolk, Virginia, to Doris (née Herr), a homemaker, and Martin J. Bannon Jr.,{{cite news|url=https://www.pilotonline.com/news/government/politics/local/article_aecebf1d-9fa1-589a-8c85-b315c05bc6de.amp.html|title='I assumed he was a Democrat': A look at Steve Bannon's journey from Norfolk to Washington|newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105202554/https://www.pilotonline.com/news/government/politics/local/article_aecebf1d-9fa1-589a-8c85-b315c05bc6de.amp.html |issn=0889-6127 |archive-date=November 5, 2018 |last=Pierceall |first=Kimberly|date=December 3, 2016|access-date=May 17, 2018}} who worked as an AT&T telephone lineman and as a middle manager.{{Cite news |last=Wren |first=Adam |access-date=June 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203142607/http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/12/steve-bannon-films-movies-documentaries-trump-hollywood-214495 |location=Arlington, VA |archive-date=December 3, 2016 |date=December 2, 2016 |url=http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/12/steve-bannon-films-movies-documentaries-trump-hollywood-214495|title=What I Learned Binge-Watching Steve Bannon's Documentaries|website=Politico}} He grew up in a working-class family that was pro-Kennedy and pro-union Democrat.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/14/steve-bannon-who-is-the-donald-trumps-chief-strategist-and-why-i/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/14/steve-bannon-who-is-the-donald-trumps-chief-strategist-and-why-i/ |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Steve Bannon: Who is Donald Trump's chief strategist and why is he so feared? |first1=Harriet |last1=Alexander |first2=Charlotte |last2=Krol |newspaper=The Telegraph |location=London |date=November 14, 2016 |access-date=June 14, 2022}}{{cbignore}} He is of Irish and German descent. Much of his mother's side of the family settled in the Baltimore area.{{cite news |url=https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2018-05/steve-bannon-interview-english/seite-3 |title='I have tremendous faith in the new, young leadership of AfD' (Interview with Steve Bannon) |date=May 29, 2018 |newspaper=Die Zeit |first=Paul |last=Middelhoff |access-date=July 6, 2020 |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020455/https://www.zeit.de/zustimmung?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zeit.de%2Fpolitik%2Fausland%2F2018-05%2Fsteve-bannon-interview-english%2Fseite-3 |url-status=live }} Bannon graduated from Benedictine College Preparatory, a private, Catholic, military high school in Richmond, Virginia, in 1971, and then attended Virginia Tech, where he served as the president of the student government association.{{cite magazine|author=Von Drehle, David|date=February 13, 2017|title=The second most powerful man in the world?|magazine=Time|page=29|url=https://time.com/4657665/steve-bannon-donald-trump/|access-date=February 8, 2017|archive-date=December 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224084144/http://time.com/4657665/steve-bannon-donald-trump/|url-status=live}} During the summers he worked at a local junkyard.{{cite news |last=Viser |first=Matt |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2016/11/26/look-steven-bannon-and-his-years-harvard-business-school/B2m0j85jh5jRKzKbMastzK/story.html |title=Harvard classmates barely recognize the Bannon of today |newspaper=The Boston Globe |location=Exchange Place (Boston) |date=November 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129151128/https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2016/11/26/look-steven-bannon-and-his-years-harvard-business-school/B2m0j85jh5jRKzKbMastzK/story.html |archive-date=November 29, 2016 |access-date=June 14, 2022 }}

In 1976, he graduated from Virginia Tech College of Architecture and Urban Studies with a bachelor's degree in urban planning. While serving in the navy, he earned a master's degree in national security studies in 1983 from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.{{Cite magazine |last=Keane |first=James |date=November 17, 2017 |title=Steve Bannon: St. Ignatius helped me get sober |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2017/11/17/steve-bannon-st-ignatius-helped-me-get-sober |magazine=America Magazine |language=en |access-date=December 14, 2017 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126083407/https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2017/11/17/steve-bannon-st-ignatius-helped-me-get-sober |url-status=live }} In 1985,{{refn|Per a Harvard Crimson article,{{cite news |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2016/11/29/protests-bannon-iop-harvard/ |date=November 29, 2016 |access-date=March 29, 2017 |title=Harvard Affiliates, Boston Residents to Protest Bannon's Visit |newspaper=The Harvard Crimson |first=Claire E. |last=Parker |quote=Bannon graduated from the Harvard Business School in 1985. |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220225219/http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2016/11/29/protests-bannon-iop-harvard/ |url-status=live }} but note that some places mistakenly say Bannon graduated in 1983, which was his *first* year at Harvard according to the Boston Globe.}} Bannon earned a Master of Business Administration degree with honors from Harvard Business School.See:

• {{cite news |title=The New Vast Right-Wing Conspirator Wants to Take Out Both Clinton and Bush |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/graphics/2015-steve-bannon/ |last1=Green |first1=Joshua |date=October 8, 2015 |archive-date=October 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008104410/http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/graphics/2015-steve-bannon/ |issn=0007-7135 |website=Bloomberg Businessweek|access-date=August 12, 2015}}
• {{cite news|last1=Green|first1=Joshua|title=This Man Is the Most Dangerous Political Operative in America |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/graphics/2015-steve-bannon/ |issn=0007-7135 |website=Bloomberg Businessweek |access-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009160139/https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/graphics/2015-steve-bannon/ |archive-date=October 9, 2015 |language=en|date=October 8, 2015}}{{Cite web |title=Bannon Will No Longer Attend Harvard Campaign Debrief Event {{!}} News {{!}} The Harvard Crimson |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2016/11/30/bannon-no-longer-iop-harvard/ |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=www.thecrimson.com}}

Bannon was an officer in the United States Navy from 1977 to 1983;{{Cite web |last=Faram |first=Mark |date=2017-02-01 |title=Steve Bannon and the National Security Council: What we can learn from his Navy career |url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2017/02/01/steve-bannon-and-the-national-security-council-what-we-can-learn-from-his-navy-career/ |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=Navy Times |language=en |archive-date=June 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609185123/https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2017/02/01/steve-bannon-and-the-national-security-council-what-we-can-learn-from-his-navy-career/ |url-status=live }} he served on the destroyer {{USS|Paul F. Foster}} as a surface warfare officer in the Pacific Fleet, and afterwards as a special assistant to the chief of naval operations at the Pentagon.{{cite news |url=http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/trumps-controversial-new-adviser-promoted-conservatism-even-in-the-navy|title=Trump's controversial new adviser promoted conservatism even in the Navy |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821212950/http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/trumps-controversial-new-adviser-promoted-conservatism-even-in-the-navy |publisher=Sightline Media |first=Mark D. |last=Faram |date=August 20, 2016 |newspaper=Military Times}} Bannon's job at the Pentagon was, among other things, handling messages between senior officers and writing reports about the state of the Navy fleet worldwide.{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/fox-news-exclusive-the-making-of-steve-bannon-from-young-navy-man-to-white-house-power-player|title=Fox News Exclusive: The making of Steve Bannon, from young Navy man to White House power player|first=Douglas|last=Kennedy|date=March 30, 2017|publisher=Fox News|access-date=March 31, 2017|archive-date=September 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915120459/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/03/30/fox-news-exclusive-making-steve-bannon-from-young-navy-man-to-white-house-power-player.html|url-status=live}} While at the Pentagon, Bannon attended Georgetown University at night and obtained his master's degree in national security studies.

In 1980, Bannon was deployed to the Persian Gulf to assist with Operation Eagle Claw during the Iran hostage crisis. In a 2015 interview, Bannon said that the mission's failure marked a turning point in his political worldview from largely apolitical to strongly Reaganite, which was further reinforced by the September 11 attacks.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-bannons-navy-service-during-the-iran-hostage-crisis-shaped-his-views/2017/02/09/99f1e58a-e991-11e6-bf6f-301b6b443624_story.html|title=How Bannon's Navy service during the Iran hostage crisis shaped his views|last1=Kranish|first1=Michael|last2=Whitlock|first2=Craig|date=February 10, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=December 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210205305/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-bannons-navy-service-during-the-iran-hostage-crisis-shaped-his-views/2017/02/09/99f1e58a-e991-11e6-bf6f-301b6b443624_story.html|archive-date=February 10, 2017|quote=He was an ensign and then a lieutenant junior grade, assigned to a windowless, two-bed stateroom with desks and a wardrobe area, a comfortable accommodation compared with the warren of bunks where most sailors slept.}}{{cite news|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/bannons-war/|title=Bannon's War|date=May 23, 2017|department=Frontline|website=PBS|access-date=September 15, 2017|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212012349/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/bannons-war/|url-status=live}} He recounted,

"I wasn't political until I got into the service and saw how badly Jimmy Carter fucked things up. I became a huge Reagan admirer. Still am. But what turned me against the whole establishment was coming back from running companies in Asia in 2008 and seeing that [George W.] Bush had fucked up as badly as Carter. The whole country was a disaster."

After his military service, Bannon worked at Goldman Sachs as an investment banker in the Mergers and Acquisitions Department.{{cite magazine|url=http://fortune.com/2016/08/17/donald-trump-bannon-mnuchin-goldman/|title=Another Goldman Sachs Alum Joins Donald Trump's Campaign|last=Primack|first=Dan|date=August 17, 2016|magazine=Fortune|access-date=August 22, 2016|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909194323/http://fortune.com/2016/08/17/donald-trump-bannon-mnuchin-goldman/|url-status=live}} In 1987, he relocated from New York to Los Angeles, to assist Goldman in expanding their presence in the entertainment industry.{{cite news |last=Bruck |first=Connie |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/05/01/how-hollywood-remembers-steve-bannon |title=How Hollywood Remembers Steve Bannon |magazine=The New Yorker |date=May 1, 2017 |id={{Gale|A491048883}} |volume=93 |issue=11 |page=34 |via=Cengage |access-date=April 24, 2017 |archive-date=April 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424181222/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/05/01/how-hollywood-remembers-steve-bannon |url-status=live }} He stayed at this position with Goldman in Los Angeles for two years, and left with the title of vice president.{{cite web|last1=Primack|first1=Dan|title=Steve Bannon Wasn't a 'Managing Partner' at Goldman Sachs|url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/steve-bannon-wasnt-managing-partner-goldman-sachs-dan-primack|access-date=February 8, 2017|language=en|date=November 14, 2016|website=LinkedIn|archive-date=February 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020541/https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/steve-bannon-wasnt-managing-partner-goldman-sachs-dan-primack|url-status=live}}{{efn|name=fn2|Bannon was erroneously referred to as a "managing partner".{{cite news|title=Donald Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon not anti-Semitic as he worked for Goldman Sachs, says Newt Gingrich|author=Sims, Alexandra|date=November 14, 2016|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=February 20, 2017|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-steve-bannon-newt-gingrich-not-antisemitic-goldman-sachs-hollywood-chief-strategist-a7416436.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-steve-bannon-newt-gingrich-not-antisemitic-goldman-sachs-hollywood-chief-strategist-a7416436.html |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}}}

In 1990, Bannon and several colleagues from Goldman Sachs launched their own company Bannon & Co., a boutique investment bank specializing in media. In one of Bannon & Co.'s transactions, the firm represented Westinghouse Electric, which wanted to sell Castle Rock Entertainment. Bannon negotiated a sale of Castle Rock to Turner Broadcasting System, which was owned by Ted Turner at the time. Instead of a full adviser's fee, Bannon & Co. accepted a financial stake in five television shows, including Seinfeld, which was in its third season. Bannon still receives cash residuals each time Seinfeld is aired.{{cite news|title=Steve Bannon Is a Lit Bomb in the Mouth of Democracy|author=Senior, Jennifer|date=June 6, 2022|newspaper=The Atlantic|access-date=June 6, 2022|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/07/steve-bannon-war-room-democracy-threat/638443/|quote=Please,' says John Podhoretz, the old-school conservative editor of Commentary. 'He was a third-rate banker who got a tiny slice of an enormous pie.' He's referring to the piece of Seinfeld profits that Bannon got when he helped orchestrate a deal between Ted Turner and Castle Rock Entertainment.|archive-date=June 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612032756/https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/07/steve-bannon-war-room-democracy-threat/638443/|url-status=live}} In 1998, Société Générale purchased Bannon & Co.

In 1993, while still managing Bannon & Co., Bannon became acting director of the earth science research project Biosphere 2 in Oracle, Arizona. Under Bannon, the closed-system experiment project shifted emphasis from researching human space exploration and colonization toward the scientific study of earth's environment, pollution, and climate change. He left the project in 1995.{{cite magazine|last1=Murphy|first1=Tim|title=Trump's Campaign CEO Ran a Secretive Sci-Fi Project in the Arizona Desert|url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/08/stephen-bannon-donald-trump-biosphere-2-arizona|access-date=August 28, 2016|magazine=Mother Jones|date=August 26, 2016|archive-date=August 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827230638/http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/08/stephen-bannon-donald-trump-biosphere-2-arizona|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Kennedy|first1=Bud|title=Long before Breitbart, Trump CEO Bannon ran Ed Bass' Biosphere 2|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/bud-kennedy/article97952922.html|access-date=August 28, 2016 |archive-date=November 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123162605/http://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/bud-kennedy/article97952922.html |newspaper=Star-Telegram |date=August 25, 2016}}

File:Steve Bannon 2010.jpg

In the 1990s, Bannon ventured into entertainment and media and became a Hollywood film and media executive producer. Bannon produced 18 films, including Sean Penn's drama The Indian Runner (1991), and Julie Taymor's film Titus (1999).{{cite magazine |last1=McCarthy |first1=Todd |title=Review: 'Titus' |url=https://variety.com/1999/film/reviews/titus-1200460005/ |access-date=August 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505174625/https://variety.com/1999/film/reviews/titus-1200460005/ |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |issn=0042-2738 |oclc=810134503 |magazine=Variety|date=December 21, 1999}} Bannon became a partner with entertainment industry executive Jeff Kwatinetz at film and television management company The Firm, Inc., where he served in 2002 and 2003.{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/steve-bannons-hollywood-partner-breaks-silence-defends-hes-not-a-racist-q-a-1001006 |title=Steve Bannon's Former Hollywood Partner Breaks Silence: "He's Not a Racist" |first=Paul |last=Bond |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015041623/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/steve-bannons-hollywood-partner-breaks-silence-defends-hes-not-a-racist-q-a-1001006/ |date=May 8, 2017 |archive-date=October 15, 2021 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |issn=0018-3660 |access-date=September 17, 2017}}

In 2004, Bannon made a documentary about Ronald Reagan, In the Face of Evil.{{cite news |last=Martel |first=Ned |title=Ronald Reagan, in Black and White |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/29/movies/29FACE.html |id={{ProQuest|2228479726}} |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528071012/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/29/movies/29FACE.html |archive-date=May 28, 2015 |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |access-date=August 12, 2015 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=October 29, 2004}} While making and screening the film, Bannon met Reagan's War author Peter Schweizer and publisher Andrew Breitbart, who described him as the Leni Riefenstahl of the Tea Party movement. Other films Bannon financed and produced include Fire from the Heartland: The Awakening of the Conservative Woman (2010), The Undefeated (2011), and Occupy Unmasked (2012).{{cite news |last1=Whipple |first1=Kelsey |last2=Bannon |first2=Steven K. |title=The director of Occupy Unmasked talks facts, bias and the future of the movement |url=http://www.westword.com/arts/the-director-of-occupy-unmasked-talks-facts-bias-and-the-future-of-the-movement-5788513 |access-date=August 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602172008/http://www.westword.com/arts/the-director-of-occupy-unmasked-talks-facts-bias-and-the-future-of-the-movement-5788513 |newspaper=Westword |archive-date=June 2, 2015 |date=September 21, 2012}}

In 2006, Bannon persuaded Goldman Sachs to invest in a company known as Internet Gaming Entertainment.See:

• {{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2008/11/ff-ige |title=The Decline and Fall of an Ultra Rich Online Gaming Empire |last=Dibbell |first=Julian |date=November 24, 2008 |magazine=Wired|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101125627/http://www.wired.com/2008/11/ff-ige/ |archive-date=November 1, 2015 |issn=1059-1028 |eissn=1078-3148 |oclc=24479723 |language=en-US |access-date=January 25, 2017}}
• {{cite magazine |last1=Dibbell |first1=Julian |title=The Kingpin Of Azeroth |magazine=Wired|date=December 2008 |volume=16 |issue=12 |page=180 |eissn=1078-3148 |issn=1059-1028 |oclc=24479723 |id={{Gale|A191479494}}}} Following a lawsuit, the company rebranded as Affinity Media, and Bannon took over as CEO. From 2007 through 2011, Bannon was the chair and CEO of Affinity Media.{{cite journal |last1=Caldwell |first1=Patrick |title=Trump Campaign CEO Once Worked for a World of Warcraft Marketplace |journal=Mother Jones |date=September 1, 2016 |url=http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/08/stephen-bannon-world-warcraft-gold-farming-donald-trump |archive-date=September 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905154719/http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/08/stephen-bannon-world-warcraft-gold-farming-donald-trump |location=San Francisco |issn=0362-8841}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.wired.com/2016/09/trumps-campaign-ceos-little-known-world-warcraft-career/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905175338/https://www.wired.com/2016/09/trumps-campaign-ceos-little-known-world-warcraft-career/ |archive-date=September 5, 2016 |title=Trump's Campaign CEO's Little Known World of Warcraft Career |last=Lapowsky |first=Issie |date=September 2, 2016 |issn=1059-1028 |eissn=1078-3148 |oclc=24479723 |newspaper=Wired|language=en-US |access-date=November 15, 2016}}

In 2007, Bannon wrote an eight-page treatment for another documentary, Destroying the Great Satan: The Rise of Islamic Facism in America. The outline states, "although driven by the 'best intentions,' institutions such as the media, the Jewish community and government agencies were appeasing jihadists aiming to create an Islamic republic."{{cite news|author=Gold, Matea |via=Cengage |id={{Gale|A480009350}} |archive-date=February 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203224737/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/bannon-film-outline-warned-us-could-turn-into-islamic-states-of-america/2017/02/03/f73832f4-e8be-11e6-b82f-687d6e6a3e7c_story.html |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/bannon-film-outline-warned-us-could-turn-into-islamic-states-of-america/2017/02/03/f73832f4-e8be-11e6-b82f-687d6e6a3e7c_story.html |title=Bannon film outline warned U.S. could turn into 'Islamic States of America'|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=February 3, 2017|url-access=subscription}} In 2011, Bannon spoke at the Liberty Restoration Foundation in Orlando, Florida, about the economic crisis of 2008, the Troubled Assets Relief Program, and their impact in the origins of the Tea Party movement, and his films Generation Zero (2010) and The Undefeated.{{cite AV media |people=Bannon, Steve |date=November 20, 2011 |publisher=VictorySessions |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BSrJv0IpHY |via=YouTube |access-date=September 25, 2018 |title=Stephen K. Bannon at The Liberty Restoration Foundation |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109045625/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BSrJv0IpHY |url-status=live }}

{{Further|Breitbart News}}

In 2007, Bannon was a founding board member of Breitbart News,{{cite news |last1=Manchester |first1=Julia |title=Breitbart pushes back on 'alt-right' label |url=https://thehill.com/media/347266-breitbart-pushes-back-on-alt-right-label/ |website=The Hill|date=August 20, 2017 |issn=1521-1568|oclc=31153202 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827071028/https://thehill.com/media/347266-breitbart-pushes-back-on-alt-right-label |archive-date=August 27, 2017 }}{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322211902/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/andrew-breitbart-news-executives-death-301754 |archive-date=March 22, 2012 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/andrew-breitbart-news-executives-death-301754 |title=Breitbart News Names Executives Who Will Run Company in Wake of Founder's Death |last=Bond |first=Paul |date=March 19, 2012 |issn=0018-3660 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=November 23, 2016}} a far-right news, opinion and commentary website. Philip Elliott and Zeke J. Miller of Time have said that the site has "pushed racist, sexist, xenophobic and antisemitic material into the vein of the alternative right".{{cite news |url=https://time.com/4574493/donald-trump-chaotic-transition/ |title=Inside Donald Trump's Chaotic Transition |magazine=Time |date=November 18, 2016 |access-date=November 20, 2016 |last1=Elliott |first1=Philip |last2=Miller |first2=Zeke |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818091721/https://time.com/4574493/donald-trump-chaotic-transition/ |url-status=live }} Bannon said that Breitbart's ideological mix included libertarians, Zionists, the conservative gay community, same-sex marriage opponents, economic nationalists, populists, as well as the alt-right, with the alt-right comprising a very small proportion overall. Conceding the alt-right holds views with "racial and anti-Semitic overtones", Bannon said he has zero tolerance for such views.{{cite journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/steve-bannon-on-politics-as-war-1479513161 |title=Steve Bannon on Politics as War |journal=The Wall Street Journal |date=November 18, 2016 |first=Kimberly A. |last=Strassel |access-date=September 25, 2018 |quote=But he says Breitbart is also a platform for 'libertarians,' Zionists, 'the conservative gay community,' ... |url-access=subscription |archive-date=September 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924073656/https://www.wsj.com/articles/steve-bannon-on-politics-as-war-1479513161 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/11/24/alt-right-white-supremacist-donald-trump/94355492/ |title=Defining alt-right is tricky in the wake of Trump's victory |date=November 24, 2016 |newspaper=USA Today |first=Rick |last=Jervis |access-date=September 25, 2018 |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020550/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/11/24/alt-right-white-supremacist-donald-trump/94355492/ |url-status=live }}

In March 2012, following the death of Breitbart News founder Andrew Breitbart, Bannon became executive chairman of Breitbart News LLC, the parent company of Breitbart News.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/08/17/trump-reshuffles-staff-in-his-own-image/|title=Trump shakes up campaign, demotes top adviser|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=August 17, 2016|first1=Robert|last1=Costa|first2=Jose A.|last2=DelReal|first3=Jenna|last3=Johnson|date=August 17, 2016|archive-date=November 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125175754/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/08/17/trump-reshuffles-staff-in-his-own-image/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322123044/http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2012/03/breitbart-to-announce-new-management-117836.html |archive-date=March 22, 2012 |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2012/03/breitbart-to-announce-new-management-117836.html |title=Breitbart to announce new management|date=March 19, 2012 |website=Politico |last1=Hagey |first1=Keach |access-date=August 12, 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-steve-bannon-taxes_us_57b4b93be4b034dc73254691|title=Trump Campaign CEO Steve Bannon Failed to Properly Pay Taxes For Several Years|last=Bobic|first=Igor|date=August 18, 2016|website=HuffPost|access-date=November 15, 2016|archive-date=November 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116020731/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-steve-bannon-taxes_us_57b4b93be4b034dc73254691|url-status=live}} Under his leadership, Breitbart{{'}}s editorial tone became more nationalistic, and also became increasingly friendly to the alt-right.{{cite news|author=Colvin, Jill|author2=Hennessey, Kathleen|title=Trump puts flame-throwing outsider on the inside|url=https://apnews.com/f476183e30664524a534f5c0b997f98c|publisher=Associated Press|date=November 13, 2016|access-date=September 18, 2017|archive-date=January 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102093309/https://apnews.com/f476183e30664524a534f5c0b997f98c|url-status=live}} In 2016, Bannon declared the website "the platform for the alt-right". Speaking about his role at Breitbart, Bannon said, "We think of ourselves as virulently anti-establishment, particularly 'anti-' the permanent political class."{{cite news|last1=Farhi|first1=Paul|title=How Breitbart has become a dominant voice in conservative media|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/how-breitbart-has-become-a-dominant-voice-in-conservative-media/2016/01/27/a705cb88-befe-11e5-9443-7074c3645405_story.html|access-date=February 15, 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 27, 2016|archive-date=January 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128041317/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/how-breitbart-has-become-a-dominant-voice-in-conservative-media/2016/01/27/a705cb88-befe-11e5-9443-7074c3645405_story.html|url-status=live}} Ben Shapiro, a former Breitbart editor and colleague of Bannon, called Bannon a "'bully' who 'sold out [Breitbart founder] Andrew's mission in order to back another bully, Donald Trump.'"{{cite news |last=Schallhorn |first=Kaitlyn |date=September 18, 2017 |title=Ben Shapiro: Who is he and why is he so controversial? |publisher=Fox News |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/ben-shapiro-who-is-he-and-why-is-he-so-controversial |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424154542/https://www.foxnews.com/us/ben-shapiro-who-is-he-and-why-is-he-so-controversial |archive-date=April 24, 2022}}

On August 18, 2017, Breitbart announced that Bannon would return as executive chairman following his period of employment at the White House.{{cite news|last1=Horsley|first1=Scott|last2=Parks|first2=Miles|publisher=NPR|title=Steve Bannon, Out As Chief White House Strategist, Heads Back To Breitbart|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/08/18/523778912/reports-steve-bannon-out-as-chief-white-house-strategist|date=August 18, 2017|access-date=August 18, 2017|archive-date=August 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818225002/http://www.npr.org/2017/08/18/523778912/reports-steve-bannon-out-as-chief-white-house-strategist|url-status=live}} Because of the break with Trump, Bannon's position as head of Breitbart News was called into question by Breitbart{{'}}s owners.{{Cite news |last1=Bykowicz |first1=Julie |last2=Hook |first2=Janet |last3=Ballhaus |first3=Rebecca |date=January 4, 2018 |title=Breitbart Owners Debate Ousting Bannon Amid Trump Feud |language=en-US |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/breitbart-owners-debate-ousting-bannon-amid-trump-feud-1515100110 |access-date=January 4, 2018 |issn=0099-9660 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020122/https://www.wsj.com/articles/breitbart-owners-debate-ousting-bannon-amid-trump-feud-1515100110 |url-status=live }} On January 9, 2018, five months after his appointment, he stepped down as executive chairman.{{cite news |last1=Beech |first1=Eric |last2=Holland |first2=Steve |date=January 9, 2018 |title=Bannon steps down from Breitbart News after drawing fire from Trump |publisher=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-book-bannon/bannon-steps-down-from-breitbart-news-after-drawing-fire-from-trump-idUSKBN1EY2LY |access-date=September 25, 2018 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405024038/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-book-bannon/bannon-steps-down-from-breitbart-news-after-drawing-fire-from-trump-idUSKBN1EY2LY |url-status=live }} The billionaire funders of Breitbart, Robert and Rebekah Mercer, reportedly decided to push Bannon out from Breitbart, in part because of his break with Trump and in part because they had become weary of Bannon's "impulsive and attention-seeking antics" and Bannon's expenditures on "travel and private security".{{Cite news |last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie |authorlink=Maggie Haberman |last2=Schmidt |first2=Michael S. |last3=Peters |first3=Jeremy W. |date=August 20, 2020 |title=Arrest Disrupts Bannon's Efforts to Stay Relevant After Leaving White House |language=en-US |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/20/us/politics/stephen-bannon-arrest.html |access-date=October 9, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |url-access=limited |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020106/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/20/us/politics/stephen-bannon-arrest.html |url-status=live }}

Bannon hosted a radio show, Breitbart News Daily, on the SiriusXM Patriot satellite radio channel.{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120063424/http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2015/05/8568508/conservative-nonprofit-plans-expand-statewide-presence |archive-date=November 20, 2015 |via=Capital New York |place=Albany |url=http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2015/05/8568508/conservative-nonprofit-plans-expand-statewide-presence#|title=Conservative nonprofit plans to expand statewide presence|date=May 21, 2015|website=Politico|last1=Mahoney|first1=Bill|access-date=August 12, 2015}}

In 2005, Bannon secured $60 million in funding from Goldman Sachs and other investors for Internet Gaming Entertainment (IGE), a company based in Hong Kong that employed "low-wage Chinese workers" to play World of Warcraft, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game, to earn gold in-game that could be traded for virtual items, which could then be sold to players of the video game for real money.{{Cite news |last=Snider |first=Mike |title=Steve Bannon learned to harness troll army from 'World of Warcraft' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2017/07/18/steve-bannon-learned-harness-troll-army-world-warcraft/489713001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114013909/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2017/07/18/steve-bannon-learned-harness-troll-army-world-warcraft/489713001/ |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |access-date=January 18, 2021 |website=USA Today}}

While some gamers liked IGE's offers of World of Warcraft money that would typically take hours to farm, other gamers called it cheating. Many gamers responded by posting anti-Chinese vitriol. Blizzard Entertainment, the video game's owners, eventually shut down accounts used by gold farmers. IGE was also the target of a class action lawsuit by a player who said IGE's practices were "substantially impairing" people's enjoyment of the game.

While IGE's business model failed, Bannon became interested in the game's online community, describing its members as "rootless white males, [who] had monster power". Through Breitbart News editor Milo Yiannopoulos, whom Bannon recruited, Bannon realized that he could "activate that army" of gamers and Internet trolls, adding, "They c[a]me in through Gamergate or whatever and then get turned onto politics and Trump."

Since 2019, Bannon has hosted Bannon's War Room on Robert J. Sigg's Real America's Voice television network, podcast platforms, and radio.{{cite news |last1=Stanley-Becker |first1=Isaac |title=Steve Bannon was deplatformed. An obscure media mogul keeps him on the air. |orig-date=January 24, 2022 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/01/24/steve-bannon-war-room-real-americas-voice/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |publisher=Nash Holdings |date=January 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127022945/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/01/24/steve-bannon-war-room-real-americas-voice/ |archive-date=January 27, 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Goba |first=Kadia |title=Steve Bannon Is Expanding His Radio Show For The Midterms, Giving A New Platform To MAGA Candidates |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kadiagoba/steve-bannon-radio-show-midterm-elections |access-date=March 11, 2022 |website=BuzzFeed News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307074900/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kadiagoba/steve-bannon-radio-show-midterm-elections |date=March 7, 2022 |archive-date=March 7, 2022 |language=en}}

{{Further|Government Accountability Institute}}

Bannon was executive chair and co-founder of the Government Accountability Institute, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization where he helped orchestrate the publication of Breitbart News senior Editor-at-large{{cite news|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/11/fbi-investigation-clinton-foundation-peter-schweizer-breitbart|magazine=Vanity Fair|title=Why an anti-Clinton book from Breitbart got the FBI's attention |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113151315/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/11/fbi-investigation-clinton-foundation-peter-schweizer-breitbart |archive-date=November 13, 2016 |access-date=June 15, 2022 |date=November 3, 2016 |last=Borchers|first=Callum}} Peter Schweizer's book Clinton Cash,{{cite web|url=http://www.g-a-i.org/team/|title=Team|website=g-a-i.org|publisher=Government Accountability Institute|access-date=August 17, 2016|archive-date=November 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114220658/http://www.g-a-i.org/team/}} from its founding in 2012 until his departure in August 2016.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/trump-adviser-received-salary-from-charity-while-steering-breitbart-news/2016/11/22/75340778-af8a-11e6-8616-52b15787add0_story.html|title=Trump adviser received salary from charity while steering Breitbart News|last=O'Harrow Jr.|first=Robert|date=November 23, 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=January 25, 2017}} The organization creates fact-based indictments against politicians using the deep web, tax filings, flight logs, and foreign government documents and then forwards their findings to the media.{{Cite magazine|last1=Mayer|first1=Jane|date=October 4, 2019|title=The Invention of the Conspiracy Theory on Biden and Ukraine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-invention-of-the-conspiracy-theory-on-biden-and-ukraine|access-date=December 9, 2021|magazine=The New Yorker|language=en-US|archive-date=January 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118095430/https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-invention-of-the-conspiracy-theory-on-biden-and-ukraine|url-status=live}} The organization is registered as nonpartisan but it mainly investigates alleged corruption, crony capitalism, and misuse of taxpayer money within the Democratic Party. The group has spread conspiracy theories about Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden.{{Cite news|last=Schwarz|first=D. Hunter|date=March 16, 2021|title=Former Rep. Jason Chaffetz just joined this conservative think tank|url=https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2021/3/16/22332409/former-rep-jason-chaffetz-just-joined-this-conservative-think-tank-steve-bannon-donald-trump-clinton|access-date=December 9, 2021|website=Deseret News|language=en|archive-date=August 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808231450/https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2021/3/16/22332409/former-rep-jason-chaffetz-just-joined-this-conservative-think-tank-steve-bannon-donald-trump-clinton|url-status=live}} For the years 2012 through 2015, he received between $81,000 and $100,000 each year; the organization reported that he worked an average of 30 hours per week for the organization.

{{Further|Cambridge Analytica}}

Bannon served as vice president of the board of Cambridge Analytica, a data-analytics firm owned largely by the Mercer family, who also co-owns Breitbart News; the firm allegedly used illegal tactics to target American voters in the 2016 election.{{Cite news|url=http://www.politico.eu/blogs/on-media/2017/02/breitbart-reveals-owners-ceo-larry-solov-the-mercer-family-and-susie-breitbart-donald-trump-media/|title=Breitbart reveals owners: CEO Larry Solov, the Mercer family and Susie Breitbart|last=Gold|first=Hadas|date=February 25, 2017|access-date=April 7, 2017|archive-date=May 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523004421/https://www.politico.eu/blogs/on-media/2017/02/breitbart-reveals-owners-ceo-larry-solov-the-mercer-family-and-susie-breitbart-donald-trump-media/|url-status=live}} According to former Analytica employee Christopher Wylie, Bannon oversaw the collection of Facebook data which was used to target American voters.{{Cite news|last3=Kranish|first1=Craig|last1=Timberg|first2=Karla|last2=Adam|first3=Michael|title=Bannon oversaw Cambridge Analytica's collection of Facebook data, former employee says|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-bannon-cambridge-analytica-facebook-20180320-story.html|access-date=January 22, 2022|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=January 20, 2022|archive-date=January 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122201435/https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-bannon-cambridge-analytica-facebook-20180320-story.html|url-status=live}} Wylie who helped with creation of the company referred to the company as a "psychological warfare tool".{{Cite news |last1=Cadwalladr |first1=Carole |date=March 18, 2018 |title='I made Steve Bannon's psychological warfare tool': meet the data war whistleblower |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318060742/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/mar/17/data-war-whistleblower-christopher-wylie-faceook-nix-bannon-trump |archive-date=March 18, 2018 |url=http://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/mar/17/data-war-whistleblower-christopher-wylie-faceook-nix-bannon-trump |access-date=September 25, 2022 |website=The Guardian|language=en}} Bannon was paid more than $125,000 for his work at Cambridge Analytica.{{Cite news |date=April 1, 2017 |title=White House wealth: Trump employees disclose their finances |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/white-house-wealth-trump-finances |access-date=September 25, 2022 |website=PBS NewsHour |language=en-us |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020081308/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/white-house-wealth-trump-finances |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Pramuk |first=Jacob |title=Bannon reports at least $1.3 million in income last year, holds millions more in assets |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/31/bannon-reports-at-least-1-3-million-in-income-last-year.html |access-date=September 25, 2022 |publisher=CNBC |date=April 2017 |language=en |archive-date=September 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925072633/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/31/bannon-reports-at-least-1-3-million-in-income-last-year.html |url-status=live }} Bannon's stake in Cambridge Analytica was estimated at $1–5 million, but he sold his stake in the company once he joined the Trump administration in April 2017.{{cite news |last1=Allison |first1=Bill |title=Bannon Gets Approval to Sell Holdings in Data and Film Companies |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-04-25/bannon-gets-approval-to-sell-holdings-in-data-and-film-companies |website=Bloomberg |department=Politics |date=April 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430103738/https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-04-25/bannon-gets-approval-to-sell-holdings-in-data-and-film-companies |archive-date=April 30, 2017}}{{Cite news |first1=Ben |last1=Wieder |place=Washington, D.C. |first2=Anita |last2=Kumar |date=February 20, 2018 |title=Bannon sells stake in Cambridge Analytica, fined for late ethics report |agency=McClatchy DC Bureau |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220145857/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article200917134.html |archive-date=February 20, 2018 |via=Newspaper.com, Centre Daily Times, page A2 |url=https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article200917134.html |access-date=September 25, 2022 }}{{Cite news |last=Disis |first=Jill |date=April 25, 2017 |title=Bannon cleared to sell Mercer-backed holdings |url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/04/25/news/steve-bannon-divests/index.html |access-date=September 25, 2022 |publisher=CNN Business |archive-date=January 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122045002/https://money.cnn.com/2017/04/25/news/steve-bannon-divests/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|work=TED|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQSMr-3GGvQ|title=Facebook's role in Brexit — and the threat to democracy|last= Cadwalladr|first=Carole|date=June 10, 2019|access-date=February 22, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/mar/17/cambridge-analytica-facebook-influence-us-election|title=Revealed: 50 million Facebook profiles harvested for Cambridge Analytica in major data breach|author=Carole Cadwalladr and Emma Graham-Harrison|date=March 17, 2018|access-date=February 22, 2025|work=The Guardian}}

{{Further|The Movement (right-wing populist group)}}

In 2017, Bannon founded the Movement, a populist organization which frequently promotes right wing populist groups in Europe which are against the EU government and political system in Europe. The group is also known for its opposition to George Soros's Open Society Foundations, Bannon has referred to Soros as "evil but brilliant". The organization employes 10 full time staff members. Mischaël Modrikamen, the leader of the Belgian People's Party, serves as executive director. The organization has received praise from figures like Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Italian Eurosceptic party M5S leader Luigi Di Maio.{{Cite news |last=Horowitz |first=Jason |date=September 7, 2018 |title=Steve Bannon's 'Movement' Enlists Italy's Most Powerful Politician |language=en-US |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/07/world/europe/italy-steve-bannon-matteo-salvini.html |access-date=June 16, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |url-access=limited |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214021331/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/07/world/europe/italy-steve-bannon-matteo-salvini.html |url-status=live }}

{{Further|Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign}}

File:Trump protest (30297762504).jpg

On August 17, 2016, with 88 days until the 2016 presidential election, Bannon was appointed chief executive of Donald Trump's presidential campaign.{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Jonathan |last2=Rutenberg |first2=Jim |last3=Haberman |first3=Maggie |author-link3=Maggie Haberman |date=August 17, 2016 |title=Donald Trump Appoints Media Firebrand to Run Campaign |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/18/us/politics/donald-trump-stephen-bannon-paul-manafort.html |url-access=limited |access-date=August 18, 2016 |issn=0362-4331 |oclc=1645522 |eissn=1553-8095 |archive-date=May 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508045944/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/18/us/politics/donald-trump-stephen-bannon-paul-manafort.html |url-status=live }} Bannon left Breitbart, the Government Accountability Institute and Cambridge Analytica,{{Cite news |title=Data Firm Says 'Secret Sauce' Aided Trump; Many Scoff |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/06/us/politics/cambridge-analytica.html |newspaper=The New York Times |first1=Nicholas |last1=Confessore |first2=Danny |last2=Hakim |date=March 6, 2017 |access-date=September 6, 2021 |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |url-access=limited |archive-date=September 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922005355/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/06/us/politics/cambridge-analytica.html |url-status=live }} to take the job. Shortly after he had assumed the chief executive role, the chairman of the Trump campaign, Paul Manafort, was dismissed.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/26/movies/on-the-right-side-of-the-theater-aisle.html |title=On the Right Side of the Theater Aisle |date=June 26, 2005 |newspaper=The New York Times |url-access=limited |access-date=June 16, 2022 |page=AR1(L) |id={{Gale|A133553861}} |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827152825/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/26/movies/on-the-right-side-of-the-theater-aisle.html |archive-date=August 27, 2016 |quote=If established Hollywood conservatives welcome the energy of this new group, some nonetheless fear that it is heading down the wrong path ... Even the outspoken Mr. Bannon thinks that little will be gained if conservative ideology moves too far in front of conservative art. 'We have the money, we have the ideas,' he said. 'What we don't have – and what the left has in spades – are great filmmakers.' |last1=Ulmer |first1=James |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522}}{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306051902/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/17/business/media/breitbart-news-network-plans-global-expansion.html?_r=0 |archive-date=March 6, 2014 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/17/business/media/breitbart-news-network-plans-global-expansion.html |title=Breitbart News Network Plans Global Expansion|date=February 17, 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|last1=Kaufman|first1=Leslie |department=Media |page=B3 |orig-date=February 16, 2014 |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |access-date=August 12, 2015}}

On November 13, following Donald Trump's election to the presidency, Bannon was appointed chief strategist and senior counselor to the president-elect.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/14/us/politics/reince-priebus-chief-of-staff-donald-trump.html|title=Donald Trump Picks Reince Priebus as Chief of Staff and Stephen Bannon as Strategist|first2=Maggie|last2=Haberman |authorlink2=Maggie Haberman |first1=Michael D.|last1=Shear|first3=Alan|last3=Rappeport|orig-date=November 13, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161217015009/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/14/us/politics/reince-priebus-chief-of-staff-donald-trump.html |archive-date=December 17, 2016 |place =Washington DC |page=A1 |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |access-date=November 15, 2016}} His appointment drew opposition from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Council on American–Islamic Relations, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, and some Republican strategists because of statements in Breitbart News that were alleged to be racist or antisemitic.{{cite news|last1=Shear|first1=Michael D.|last2=Haberman|first2=Maggie |authorlink2=Maggie Haberman |title=Critics See Stephen Bannon, Trump's Pick for Strategist, as Voice of Racism|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/15/us/politics/donald-trump-presidency.html|access-date=November 15, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115035029/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/15/us/politics/donald-trump-presidency.html |archive-date=November 15, 2016 |date=November 15, 2016 |orig-date=November 14, 2016}}{{Cite news |archive-date=December 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223142538/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/11/13/trump-draws-sharp-rebuke-concerns-over-newly-appointed-chief-white-house-strategist/ |date=November 13, 2016 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/11/13/trump-draws-sharp-rebuke-concerns-over-newly-appointed-chief-white-house-strategist/|title=Trump draws sharp rebuke, concerns over newly appointed chief White House strategist Stephen Bannon|first=Jose A. |last=DelReal|newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{sfn|Rahn|2016}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/reid-spokesman-white-supremacist-bannon-snags-white-house-post/article/2607296?custom_click=rss|title=Reid spokesman: 'White supremacist' Bannon snags White House post|last=Ferrechio|first=Susan|website=The Washington Examiner|date=November 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731010625/http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/reid-spokesman-white-supremacist-bannon-snags-white-house-post/article/2607296?custom_click=rss |place=DC |archive-date=July 31, 2017 |access-date=November 14, 2016}} However, a number of prominent Jews of the (politically) conservative persuasion defended Bannon against the allegations of anti-Semitism, including Ben Shapiro,{{cite news|title=Analysis: Breitbart's Steve Bannon leads the 'alt right' to the White House|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/analysis-breitbart-s-steve-bannon-leads-alt-right-white-house-n683316|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811223146/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/analysis-breitbart-s-steve-bannon-leads-alt-right-white-house-n683316 |archive-date=August 11, 2021 |access-date=November 15, 2016|publisher=NBC News|first=Benjy|last=Sarlin}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/article/442189/steve-bannon-trump-administration-alt-right-breitbart-chief-strategist|title=Steve Bannon Is Not a Nazi—But Let's Be Honest about What He Represents|newspaper=National Review|first=Ian|last=Tuttle|access-date=November 15, 2016|archive-date=November 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116003201/http://www.nationalreview.com/article/442189/steve-bannon-trump-administration-alt-right-breitbart-chief-strategist|url-status=live}} David Horowitz,Julian, Hana Levi. (November 15, 2016). [http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/jewish-writer-says-trumps-appointee-bannon-doesnt-have-an-anti-semitic-bone-in-his-body/2016/11/15 Jewish Writer Says Trump's Appointee, Bannon 'Doesn't Have An Anti-Semitic Bone in His Body'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020610/https://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/jewish-writer-says-trumps-appointee-bannon-doesnt-have-an-anti-semitic-bone-in-his-body/2016/11/15/ |date=February 15, 2021 }}. Jewish Press. Pamela Geller,{{Cite news|url=https://www.algemeiner.com/2016/11/15/amid-antisemitism-controversy-senior-trump-adviser-stephen-bannon-to-attend-major-pro-israel-groups-gala-dinner|title=Amid Antisemitism Controversy, Senior Trump Adviser Stephen Bannon to Attend Major Pro-Israel Group's Gala Dinner|date=November 15, 2016|website=The Algemeiner|first=Barney|last=Breen-Portnoy|access-date=August 20, 2021|archive-date=July 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727053722/https://www.algemeiner.com/2016/11/15/amid-antisemitism-controversy-senior-trump-adviser-stephen-bannon-to-attend-major-pro-israel-groups-gala-dinner/|url-status=live}} Bernard Marcus of the Republican Jewish Coalition,{{cite web|url=https://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/republican-jewish-coalition-backs-steve-bannon-trump-white-house|title=Republican Jewish Coalition Defends Trump's Appointment Of Bannon|first=Allegra|last=Kirkland|website=Talking Points Memo|date=November 15, 2016|access-date=August 20, 2021|archive-date=August 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813083111/https://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/republican-jewish-coalition-backs-steve-bannon-trump-white-house}} Morton Klein,{{Cite news|url=http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/bannon-and-breitbart-friends-of-israel-not-anti-semites|title=Bannon and Breitbart: Friends of Israel, not anti-Semites|date=November 16, 2016|newspaper=The Times of Israel|first=Morton A.|last=Klein|access-date=August 20, 2021|archive-date=October 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017012317/https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/bannon-and-breitbart-friends-of-israel-not-anti-semites/|url-status=live}} the Zionist Organization of America, and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach.{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/presidential-campaign/306035-letter-to-anti-defamation-leagues-jonathan/|title='America's rabbi' rises to defend Steve ′Bannon|first=Shmuley|last=Boteach|website=The Hill|issn=1521-1568|oclc=31153202|date=November 15, 2016|access-date=August 20, 2021|archive-date=November 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127033610/https://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/presidential-campaign/306035-letter-to-anti-defamation-leagues-jonathan|url-status=live}}

Alan Dershowitz at first defended Bannon, saying there was no evidence he was antisemitic,{{Cite news|url=https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc-news/watch/alan-dershowitz-no-evidence-bannon-is-anti-semitic-809710147844|title=Alan Dershowitz: 'No evidence' Bannon is anti-Semitic|publisher=MSNBC|access-date=February 20, 2020|archive-date=February 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020552/https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc-news/watch/alan-dershowitz-no-evidence-bannon-is-anti-semitic-809710147844|url-status=live}}[http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=38071 Dershowitz defends Steve Bannon against anti-Semitism claims] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020550/http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=38071 |date=February 15, 2021 }} Yoni Hersch, Yisrael Hayom, Thursday November 17, 2016 but then in a later piece stated that Bannon had made bigoted statements against Muslims, women, and others.{{Cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.753694?=&ts=_1479410849560|title=Opinion: Bannon's not an Anti-Semite. But he is an anti-Muslim, anti-women bigot|first=Alan M.|last=Dershowitz|newspaper=Haaretz|date=November 17, 2016|access-date=November 17, 2016|archive-date=November 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118100544/http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.753694?=&ts=_1479410849560|url-status=live}} The ADL stated "We are not aware of any anti-Semitic statements from Bannon."[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4881100,00.html ADL states Trump appt. Bannon not known anti-Semite, while ADL CEO pledges to register as Muslim] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122041333/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4881100,00.html |date=November 22, 2016 }} Ynet, Gahl Becker and Reuters, 19.11.16 Bannon had referred to French National Front (now National Rally) politician Marion Maréchal-Le Pen as "the new rising star".{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/11/13/trump-s-man-stephen-bannon-flirts-with-a-le-pen |title=Steve Bannon's Dream: A Worldwide Ultra-Right |first1=Asawin |last1=Suebsaeng |first2=Christoper |publisher=InterActiveCorp |last2=Dickey |date=November 13, 2016 |website=The Daily Beast |access-date=November 22, 2016 |archive-date=August 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816110228/http://www.thedailybeast.com/web/20170816110228/http://www.thedailybeast.com/steve-bannons-dream-a-worldwide-ultra-right |url-status=live }}

On November 15, 2016, U.S. representative David Cicilline of Rhode Island released a letter to Trump signed by 169 Democratic House representatives urging the president-elect to rescind his appointment of Bannon. The letter stated that appointing Bannon "sends a disturbing message about what kind of president Donald Trump wants to be",{{cite news|last1=Prignano|first1=Christina|title=More than 150 House members urge Trump to rescind Bannon appointment|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2016/11/16/more-than-house-members-urge-trump-rescind-bannon-appointment/57MFSBYKGNI0RcP0nVwIWL/story.html|access-date=November 16, 2016|newspaper=The Boston Globe|id={{ProQuest|1839855142}}|date=November 16, 2016|archive-date=November 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117004141/https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2016/11/16/more-than-house-members-urge-trump-rescind-bannon-appointment/57MFSBYKGNI0RcP0nVwIWL/story.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=McCaskill|first1=Nolan D.|title=Democrats demand that Trump rescind Bannon appointment|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/democrats-demand-trump-rescind-steve-bannon-231422|access-date=November 16, 2016|website=Politico|date=November 15, 2016|archive-date=November 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115230545/http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/democrats-demand-trump-rescind-steve-bannon-231422|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Tempera|first1=Jacqueline|title=R.I. delegation taking lead in holding Trump accountable|url=http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/20161115/ri-delegation-taking-lead-in-holding-trump-accountable|access-date=November 16, 2016|newspaper=Providence Journal|date=November 15, 2016|archive-date=November 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116185855/http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/20161115/ri-delegation-taking-lead-in-holding-trump-accountable|url-status=live}} because his "ties to the White Nationalist movement have been well documented"; it went on to present several examples of Breitbart News{{'}}s alleged xenophobia.{{cite news |last1=Prignano |first1=Christina |title=Mass., R.I. delegations among 120 House members calling for removal of Bannon |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2016/11/15/mass-delegations-among-house-members-calling-for-removal-bannon/PslEwBWmw6fcXS8nKffXEL/story.html |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=November 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126080948/https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2016/11/15/mass-delegations-among-house-members-calling-for-removal-bannon/PslEwBWmw6fcXS8nKffXEL/story.html |archive-date=November 26, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://cicilline.house.gov/sites/cicilline.house.gov/files/images/letter.pdf|title=Cicilline's letter to Donald Trump|access-date=November 26, 2016|archive-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208141410/https://cicilline.house.gov/sites/cicilline.house.gov/files/images/letter.pdf}} Bannon denied being a white nationalist and said, rather, that he was an "economic nationalist".{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/21/politics/steve-bannon-donald-trump-nationalist/index.html|title=Bannon rejects white nationalism: 'I'm an economic nationalist'|first=Eric|last=Bradner|publisher=CNN|date=November 21, 2016|access-date=September 6, 2021|archive-date=December 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210130336/https://www.cnn.com/2016/11/21/politics/steve-bannon-donald-trump-nationalist/index.html|url-status=live}}

On November 18, during his first interview not conducted by Breitbart Media since the 2016 presidential election, Bannon remarked on some criticisms made about him, saying, "Darkness is good: Dick Cheney. Darth Vader. Satan. That's power. It only helps us when they get it wrong. When they're blind to who we are and what we're doing."{{Cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/steve-bannon-trump-tower-interview-trumps-strategist-plots-new-political-movement-948747|title=Ringside With Steve Bannon at Trump Tower as the President-Elect's Strategist Plots "An Entirely New Political Movement" (Exclusive) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223124731/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/steve-bannon-trump-tower-interview-trumps-strategist-plots-new-political-movement-948747 |archive-date=December 23, 2016 |location=Wilshire Boulevard along Miracle Mile |publisher=The Nielsen Company |issn=0018-3660 |website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=November 24, 2016|date=November 18, 2016|author=Wolff, Michael}} The quote was published widely in the media.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-steve-bannon-dick-cheney-darth-vader-satan-a7425816.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-steve-bannon-dick-cheney-darth-vader-satan-a7425816.html |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Steve Bannon compares himself to Dick Cheney, Darth Vader and Satan|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=November 26, 2016|date=November 19, 2016}}{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/18/politics/steve-bannon-donald-trump-hollywood-reporter-interview/index.html|title=Steve Bannon: Darkness is Good|access-date=November 24, 2016|date=November 19, 2016|publisher=CNN|archive-date=November 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125112951/http://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/18/politics/steve-bannon-donald-trump-hollywood-reporter-interview/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=http://fortune.com/2016/11/20/steve-bannon-interview-darkness/|title=Steve Bannon Thinks 'Darkness Is Good'|access-date=November 26, 2016|date=November 20, 2016|magazine=Fortune|archive-date=November 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127025227/http://fortune.com/2016/11/20/steve-bannon-interview-darkness/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2016/11/18/dick-cheney-darth-vader-satan-that-is-power-steve-bannon-speaks-out-for-first-time-since-being-named-donald-trumps-top-white-house-adviser/|title="Dick Cheney. Darth Vader. Satan. That's power": Steve Bannon speaks out for first time since being named Donald Trump's top White House adviser|access-date=November 26, 2016|date=November 19, 2016|website=Salon|archive-date=November 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126003158/http://www.salon.com/2016/11/18/dick-cheney-darth-vader-satan-that-is-power-steve-bannon-speaks-out-for-first-time-since-being-named-donald-trumps-top-white-house-adviser/|url-status=live}}

In an interview with The New York Times in late November, Trump responded to the controversy over Bannon's appointment, saying, "I've known Steve Bannon a long time. If I thought he was a racist, or alt-right, or any of the things that we can, you know, the terms we can use, I wouldn't even think about hiring him."{{cite news|title=Donald Trump's New York Times Interview: Full Transcript|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/23/us/politics/trump-new-york-times-interview-transcript.html?_r=1|access-date=February 21, 2017|issn=0362-4331|eissn=1553-8095|oclc=1645522|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 23, 2016|archive-date=February 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204165309/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/23/us/politics/trump-new-york-times-interview-transcript.html?_r=1|url-status=live}}

In an interview with BBC Newsnight, Bannon said that his role was to "recalibrate" the campaign, which had at that point lost its message. He "stepped in and got the campaign refocused", but he rebuffed the idea that he was the reason Trump won the presidency, saying "Trump is unique in American political history, he's his own closer." Bannon said his role was to make sure that Hillary Clinton was held up as a "guardian of a corrupt and incompetent establishment" and this was key to winning votes in states that Trump needed to win.{{Cite news |title=Steve Bannon: 'Martin Luther King would be proud of Trump' |publisher=BBC News Newsnight |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGJZQPARAIc |date=May 24, 2018 |via=YouTube |access-date=January 2, 2020 |archive-date=January 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200119132513/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGJZQPARAIc |url-status=live }}

Reuters reported on October 31, 2018, that the Senate Intelligence Committee is conducting a "wide-ranging" investigation of Bannon's activities during the campaign, including knowledge he may have had about any contacts between Russia and two campaign advisors, George Papadopoulos and Carter Page, as well as his role with Cambridge Analytica.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-bannon/u-s-senate-panel-investigates-former-trump-aide-bannon-sources-idUSKCN1N52RU|title=U.S. Senate panel investigates former Trump aide Bannon: sources|first=Mark|last=Hosenball|newspaper=Reuters|date=October 31, 2018|access-date=October 31, 2018|archive-date=February 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020004/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-bannon/u-s-senate-panel-investigates-former-trump-aide-bannon-sources-idUSKCN1N52RU|url-status=live}}

File:Donald Trump signs Executive Orders January 2017.jpg in January 2017]]

File:White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and WH Chief Strategist Steve Bannon shake hands at 2017 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).jpg at 2017 CPAC.]]

In 2018, Michael Lewis published a quote ascribed to Bannon, made while the transition team for Trump was supposed to be preparing for the next administration, and The Guardian used it twice in the title of an excerpt from the 2018 Lewis book The Fifth Risk.Lewis, Michael. (September 27, 2018). [https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/sep/27/this-guy-doesnt-know-anything-the-inside-story-of-trumps-shambolic-transition-team This guy doesn't know anything: the inside story of Trump's shambolic transition team]. The Guardian. [https://web.archive.org/web/20181226082539/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/sep/27/this-guy-doesnt-know-anything-the-inside-story-of-trumps-shambolic-transition-team Copy from Wayback Machine] The book examined the difference between the transition preparations provided by the administration that was exiting and what did or did not occur, and it revealed a profound lack of preparedness and concern, as expressed in the quote.

File:President Donald Trump receives a briefing on a military strike.jpg operation]]

At the end of January 2017, in a departure from the previous format of the National Security Council (NSC), the holder of Bannon's position, along with that of the chief of staff, were designated by presidential memorandum as regular attendees to the NSC's Principals Committee, a Cabinet-level senior inter-agency forum for considering national security issues.{{cite magazine |last=Phippen |first=J. Weston |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/liveblogs/2017/01/todays-news-jan-28-2017/514826/14243/ |title=Trump Gives Stephen Bannon Access to the National Security Council |magazine=The Atlantic |date=January 29, 2017 |access-date=January 29, 2017 |archive-date=February 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226091327/https://www.theatlantic.com/liveblogs/2017/01/todays-news-jan-28-2017/514826/14243/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38787241 |title=Trump puts Bannon on security council, dropping joint chiefs |publisher=BBC News |date=January 29, 2017 |access-date=January 29, 2017 |archive-date=April 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414063327/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38787241 |url-status=live }} The enacted arrangement was criticized by several members of previous administrations and was called "stone cold crazy" by Susan E. Rice, Barack Obama's last national security adviser.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/29/us/stephen-bannon-donald-trump-national-security-council.html|title=Bannon Is Given Security Role Usually Held for Generals|first1=Glenn|last1=Thrush|first2=Maggie|last2=Haberman|authorlink2=Maggie Haberman|date=January 29, 2017|issn=0362-4331|eissn=1553-8095|oclc=1645522|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=January 31, 2017|archive-date=April 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414042102/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/29/us/stephen-bannon-donald-trump-national-security-council.html|url-status=live}} In response, White House press secretary Sean Spicer pointed to Bannon's seven years experience as a Navy officer in justifying his presence on the committee.Slack, Donovan (January 30, 2017). [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/01/30/white-house-defends-national-security-reorganization-steve-bannon/97242792/ "White House defends Steve Bannon's role on National Security Council"]. USA Today.

Bannon never attended an NSC principals meeting. He and Jared Kushner created a body named the Strategic Initiatives Group within the NSC.{{Cite web |last=Chollet |first=Julie Smith, Derek |date=2025-04-30 |title=Bannon's 'Strategic Initiatives' Cabal Inside the NSC Is Dangerous Hypocrisy |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2017/02/01/bannons-strategic-initiatives-cabal-inside-the-nsc-is-dangerous-hypocrisy/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US}} The Strategic Initiatives Group never got off the ground, and members like Sebastian Gorka failed to obtain the security clearance necessary for work on national security issues.{{cite web |date=May 1, 2017 |title=Trump adviser Sebastian Gorka expected to leave White House, official says |url=http://www.latimes.com/politics/washington/la-na-essential-washington-updates-trump-adviser-sebastian-gorka-to-leave-1493650018-htmlstory.html |access-date=August 25, 2017 |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |location=Los Angeles, California}} Bannon also attempted to include Michael Pillsbury to the group.{{Rp|page=27–28}}

Upon his inauguration, Trump appointed Bannon to be his chief strategist, a newly created position. The title made him a counselor to the president, nearly equivalent in authority to the chief of staff. As a staff member in the Executive Office of the President, the position did not require Senate confirmation.{{cite web|url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2016/12/12/transition-in-three-easy-charts/|title=Everything you need to know about a presidential transition in three easy charts|publisher=The Brookings Institution|date=December 12, 2016|first=Elaine|last=Kamarck|access-date=September 25, 2018|archive-date=February 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020019/https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2016/12/12/transition-in-three-easy-charts/|url-status=live}} Breitbart News editor Julia Hahn followed Bannon to the White House, where she was appointed as Bannon's aide, as well as special assistant to President Trump.{{cite news|last1=Costa|first1=Robert|title=Trump's latest hire alarms allies of Ryan – and bolsters Bannon|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-latest-hire-alarms-allies-of-ryan--and-bolsters-bannon/2017/01/23/2c4b94fa-e18e-11e6-ba11-63c4b4fb5a63_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 23, 2017|access-date=May 8, 2017|archive-date=January 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126055807/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-latest-hire-alarms-allies-of-ryan--and-bolsters-bannon/2017/01/23/2c4b94fa-e18e-11e6-ba11-63c4b4fb5a63_story.html|url-status=live}}

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in the aftermath of the 2016 election, Bannon analogized his influence with Trump to that of "Thomas Cromwell in the court of the Tudors".{{cite news|last=Allen|first=Nick|title=Steve Bannon claims to be the 'Thomas Cromwell in the court of Donald Trump'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/18/steve-bannon-claims-to-be-the-thomas-cromwell-in-the-court-of-do/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/18/steve-bannon-claims-to-be-the-thomas-cromwell-in-the-court-of-do/ |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=March 5, 2017|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=November 18, 2016|location=Washington}}{{cbignore}}{{cite magazine|last1=Heer|first1=Jeet|title=Steve Bannon Is Turning Trump Into an Ethno-Nationalist Ideologue|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/140344/steve-bannon-turning-trump-ethno-nationalist-ideologue|magazine=The New Republic|access-date=March 5, 2017|date=February 2, 2017|archive-date=February 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215015941/https://newrepublic.com/article/140344/steve-bannon-turning-trump-ethno-nationalist-ideologue|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine |last=Kilgore|first=Ed|title=Steve Bannon Sees Himself As Thomas Cromwell. Will His Head End Up on a Spike?|url=https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/02/what-it-means-that-bannon-sees-himself-as-thomas-cromwell.html|magazine=New York|access-date=June 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202094351/https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/02/what-it-means-that-bannon-sees-himself-as-thomas-cromwell.html |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |date=February 1, 2017}}

Several days after Trump's inauguration, on January 26, Bannon told The New York Times, "The media should be embarrassed and humiliated and keep its mouth shut and just listen for a while. I want you to quote this: the media here is the opposition party. They don't understand this country. They still do not understand why Donald Trump is the president of the United States."{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/26/business/media/stephen-bannon-trump-news-media.html|title=Trump Strategist Stephen Bannon Says Media Should 'Keep Its Mouth Shut'|first=Michael M.|last=Grynbaum|date=January 26, 2017|issn=0362-4331|eissn=1553-8095|oclc=1645522|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=January 31, 2017|archive-date=January 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131213834/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/26/business/media/stephen-bannon-trump-news-media.html|url-status=live}}

Bannon and Stephen Miller were involved in the creation of Executive Order 13769, which resulted in restricted U.S. travel and immigration by individuals from seven countries, suspension of the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) for 120 days, and indefinite suspension of the entry of Syrians to the United States.{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-trump-immigration-20170129-story.html|title=Travel ban is the clearest sign yet of Trump advisors' intent to reshape the country|first=Brian|last=Bennett|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=January 29, 2017|access-date=January 30, 2017|archive-date=June 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617015207/https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-trump-immigration-20170129-story.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first1=Evan|last1=Perez|first2=Pamela|last2=Brown|first3=Kevin|last3=Liptak|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/28/politics/donald-trump-travel-ban/|title=Inside the confusion of the Trump executive order and travel ban|publisher=CNN|date=January 30, 2017|access-date=February 13, 2017|archive-date=March 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315230802/http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/28/politics/donald-trump-travel-ban/|url-status=live}} According to The Economist, a British news magazine, Bannon and Miller "see Mr [Vladimir] Putin as a fellow nationalist and crusader against cosmopolitanism".{{cite news|title=Donald Trump's G20 speech owed a lot to Putin|url=https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21725024-russian-hopes-american-realignment-are-misplaced-donald-trumps-g20-speech-owed-lot|newspaper=The Economist|date=July 13, 2017|access-date=August 5, 2017|archive-date=August 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805181845/https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21725024-russian-hopes-american-realignment-are-misplaced-donald-trumps-g20-speech-owed-lot|url-status=live}}

File:Bannon Says Corporatist Global Media Opposed to Economic Nationalist Agenda.webmhd.webm recorded at the Conservative Political Action Conference in 2017]]

In February 2017, Bannon appeared on the cover of Time, on which he was labeled "the Great Manipulator".{{cite magazine|author=Von Drehle, David|date=February 13, 2017|title=The second most powerful man in the world?|magazine=Time|pages=24–31|url=https://time.com/4657665/steve-bannon-donald-trump/|access-date=February 8, 2017|archive-date=December 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224084144/http://time.com/4657665/steve-bannon-donald-trump/|url-status=live}} The headline used for the associated article was "Is Steve Bannon the Second Most Powerful Man in the World?", alluding to Bannon's perceived influence in the White House.{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/317599-time-cover-labels-bannon-the-great-manipulator/|title=Time cover labels Bannon 'The Great Manipulator'|last=Concha|first=Joe|issn=1521-1568|oclc=31153202|website=The Hill|date=February 2, 2017|access-date=April 16, 2024|archive-date=May 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518233052/https://thehill.com/homenews/media/317599-time-cover-labels-bannon-the-great-manipulator/|url-status=live}}

In a March 14, 2019, hearing of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Commerce Department secretary Wilbur Ross was questioned about his conversations regarding the adding of a citizenship question to the 2020 census surveys, which he had with Bannon, who in turn had referred him to immigration hardliners Kris Kobach and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Missouri Democratic representative Lacy Clay accused Ross of being "complicit" regarding his efforts to weaken minority group voting rights, additionally accusing him of committing perjury with respect to those contacts. Clay called for Ross to tender his resignation, saying, "You lied to Congress. You misled the American people and you are complicit in the Trump administration's intent to suppress the growing political power of the non-white population." Ross said the change was in response to a request by the Justice Department for statistics to protect voting rights.Montoya-Galvez, Camilo. (March 14, 2019). [https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/wilbur-ross-census-citizenship-question-testimony-live-stream-updates-hearing-today-2019-03-14/ Democrats accuse Wilbur Ross of voter suppression in hearing on 2020 census citizenship question], CBS News, Archived March 31, 2019, [https://web.archive.org/web/20190331221227/https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/wilbur-ross-census-citizenship-question-testimony-live-stream-updates-hearing-today-2019-03-14/ Archived copy]. On April 23, 2019, the United States Supreme Court heard arguments regarding appeals of rejections by three circuit courts of the proposed inclusion of the survey question.{{cite news |last1=Liptak |first1=Adam |title=On Census Citizenship Question, Supreme Court's Conservatives Appear United |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/23/us/politics/supreme-court-census-citizenship.html |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115174752/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/23/us/politics/supreme-court-census-citizenship.html |archive-date=November 15, 2019}}Heikkinen, Niina. (April 22, 2019). [https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060199915 Census case could sway environmental litigation.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215015953/https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060199915 |date=February 15, 2021 }} Greenwire E&E News, Retrieved April 25, 2019.

It was reported that Bannon intentionally published stories to undermine H. R. McMaster. Bannon allegedly did this by leaking information to the alternative media, including alt-right writer Mike Cernovich.{{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2017/05/09/the-knives-are-out-for-hr-mcmaster-trump-bannon-nsc/ |first=Kate |last=Brannen|title=The Knives Are Out for Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster|website=Foreign Policy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715114421/https://foreignpolicy.com/2017/05/09/the-knives-are-out-for-hr-mcmaster-trump-bannon-nsc/ |publisher=Council on Foreign Relations |issn=0015-7120 |date=May 9, 2017 |archive-date=July 15, 2017 |access-date=May 14, 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/332639-white-house-leakers-have-new-target-h-r-mcmaster/|title=White House leakers have new target: H. R. McMaster|last=Evans|first=Garrett|date=May 10, 2017|issn=1521-1568|oclc=31153202|website=The Hill|access-date=May 14, 2017|archive-date=May 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515090526/http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/332639-white-house-leakers-have-new-target-h-r-mcmaster|url-status=live}} It was also reported that the Trump administration retroactively granted Bannon a blanket exemption from federal ethics rules that allowed him to communicate with editors at Breitbart News,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/01/us/politics/stephen-bannon-white-house-ethics-waivers.html?_r=0|title=White House Waivers May Have Violated Ethics Rules|newspaper=The New York Times|first1=Steve|last1=Eder|first2=Eric|last2=Lipton|date=June 1, 2017|issn=0362-4331|eissn=1553-8095|oclc=1645522|access-date=August 20, 2021|archive-date=February 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020034/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/01/us/politics/stephen-bannon-white-house-ethics-waivers.html?_r=0|url-status=live}} which according to former Breitbart consultant Kurt Bardella would be proof of the administration's intent to allow him to continue being "the de facto editorial director of Breitbart" (italics added).{{cite web|url=http://www.rawstory.com/2017/06/ex-breitbart-employee-theres-now-a-concrete-paper-trail-showing-steve-bannon-still-runs-breitbart/|title=Ex-Breitbart employee: There's now a 'concrete paper trail' showing Steve Bannon still runs Breitbart|website=The Raw Story|date=June 2017|access-date=June 14, 2017|archive-date=June 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621084549/http://www.rawstory.com/2017/06/ex-breitbart-employee-theres-now-a-concrete-paper-trail-showing-steve-bannon-still-runs-breitbart/|url-status=live}} In the final hours of Donald Trump's administration, Steve Bannon was issued a presidential pardon. The accompanying announcement said he was "an important leader in the conservative movement and is known for his political acumen".{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/19/politics/steve-bannon-pardoned-by-trump/index.html|first1=Pamela |last1=Brown |first2=Paul |last2=LeBlanc |first3=Kaitlan |last3=Collins |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211105718/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/19/politics/steve-bannon-pardoned-by-trump/index.html |archive-date=February 11, 2021 |title=Trump pardons Steve Bannon as one of his final acts in office|publisher=CNN |date=January 20, 2021 |location=Atlanta GA |orig-date=January 19, 2021|access-date=January 19, 2021}}

Bannon was removed from his NSC role in early April 2017 in a reorganization by U.S. national security advisor H. R. McMaster, whom Bannon had helped select. Some White House officials said Bannon's main purpose in serving on the committee was as a check against former national security advisor Michael T. Flynn, who had resigned in February 2017 for misleading the vice president about a conversation with the Russian ambassador to the United States.{{cite news|title=Michael Flynn Resigns as National Security Adviser|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217013817/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/13/us/politics/donald-trump-national-security-adviser-michael-flynn.html |first2=Matthew |last2=Rosenberg|first3=Matt |last3=Apuzzo|first4=Glenn|last4=Thrush|first1=Maggie|last1=Haberman |authorlink2=Maggie Haberman |date=February 13, 2017 |archive-date=February 17, 2017 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/13/us/politics/donald-trump-national-security-adviser-michael-flynn.html |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |newspaper=The New York Times}}{{Cite news |first=Jacob |last=Pramuck |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/05/steve-bannon-reportedly-removed-from-national-security-council-in-reorganization.html|title=Steve Bannon removed from National Security Council in reorganization|date=April 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406171220/http://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/05/steve-bannon-reportedly-removed-from-national-security-council-in-reorganization.html |archive-date=April 6, 2017 |publisher=CNBC}} Hence, with Flynn gone, Bannon was no longer needed.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/05/politics/steve-bannon-white-house-national-security-council/index.html|title=Bannon bumped from National Security Council|publisher=CNN|date=April 5, 2017|first=Jeremy|last=Diamond|access-date=April 5, 2017|archive-date=April 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405163758/http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/05/politics/steve-bannon-white-house-national-security-council/index.html|url-status=live}} Bannon reportedly opposed his removal from the council and threatened to quit if President Trump went forward with it, although Republican megadonor Rebekah Mercer urged him to stay. The White House said Bannon had not attempted to leave, and Bannon said any indication that he threatened resignation was "total nonsense".{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/bannon-reportedly-threatened-to-leave-white-house-after-nsc-shakeup|title=Bannon reportedly threatened to leave White House after NSC shakeup|date=April 6, 2017|access-date=April 8, 2017|publisher=Fox News|archive-date=April 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407184341/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/04/06/bannon-reportedly-threatened-to-leave-white-house-after-nsc-shakeup.html|url-status=live}} Bannon only attended one NSC meeting.{{cite news|title=Bannon removed from key National Security Council post|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/white-house-chief-strategist-steve-bannon-removed-national-security-council-172843948.html|publisher=Yahoo! News|date=April 5, 2017|first=Hunter|last=Walker|access-date=April 8, 2017}}

Bannon was interviewed multiple times by Robert Mueller as part of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 United States presidential election. Bannon was reportedly interviewed about Roger Stone's contact with WikiLeaks.{{Cite news |first1=Kara |last1=Scannell |first2=Eli |last2=Watkins |date=October 31, 2018 |title=Steve Bannon interviewed by Mueller's team for at least the third time |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/30/politics/steve-bannon-robert-mueller-investigaiton/index.html |access-date=September 27, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927071305/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/30/politics/steve-bannon-robert-mueller-investigaiton/index.html |url-status=live }} In November 2019, Bannon gave evidence in the federal criminal trial of Roger Stone. Bannon did not voluntarily testify; rather, he was compelled to give evidence under subpoena.Darren Samuelsohn & Josh Gerstein, [https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/08/steve-bannon-roger-stone-wikileaks-068104 Steve Bannon: Roger Stone was our unused WikiLeaks 'access point'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823103357/https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/08/steve-bannon-roger-stone-wikileaks-068104 |date=August 23, 2020 }}, Politico (November 8, 2019). Bannon testified that Stone was WikiLeaks' access point for the Trump campaign; the testimony helped establish that Stone lied to Congress. Stone was subsequently convicted on all charges (lying to Congress and witness tampering),{{Cite news |last1=Ali |first1=Amber |last2=Hymes |first2=Claire |title=Steve Bannon, under oath, says Roger Stone was WikiLeaks' "access point" to Trump campaign |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/roger-stone-trial-day-4-steve-bannon-testifies-against-former-trump-campaign-adviser-2019-11-08/ |access-date=November 26, 2019 |publisher=CBS News |date=November 8, 2019 |language=en-US |archive-date=November 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191126103211/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/roger-stone-trial-day-4-steve-bannon-testifies-against-former-trump-campaign-adviser-2019-11-08/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |first1=Kevin |last1=Breuninger |first2=Dan |last2=Mangan |date=November 15, 2019 |title=Trump ally Roger Stone found guilty of lying to Congress, witness tampering |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/15/trump-friend-roger-stone-found-guilty-of-lying-to-congress.html |access-date=November 26, 2019 |publisher=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020043/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/15/trump-friend-roger-stone-found-guilty-of-lying-to-congress.html |url-status=live }} but on July 10, 2020, his federal prison sentence was commuted by President Trump.{{Cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Peter |last2=Haberman |first2=Maggie |authorlink2=Maggie Haberman |last3=LaFraniere |first3=Sharon |date=July 10, 2020 |title=Trump Commutes Sentence of Roger Stone in Case He Long Denounced |language=en-US |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/10/us/politics/trump-roger-stone-clemency.html |access-date=August 21, 2020 |issn=0362-4331 |oclc=1645522 |eissn=1553-8095 |archive-date=July 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711001349/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/10/us/politics/trump-roger-stone-clemency.html |url-status=live }} Asked for a comment after Bannon himself was arrested on August 20, 2020, Stone replied, "Karma is a bitch. But I am praying for him."{{Cite news |last=Crump |first=James |date=August 20, 2020 |title='Karma is a b****': Roger Stone responds to Steve Bannon's arrest |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/roger-stone-steve-bannon-arrest-donald-trump-karma-a9680951.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/roger-stone-steve-bannon-arrest-donald-trump-karma-a9680951.html |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |access-date=August 24, 2021 |newspaper=The Independent}}

In August 2020, members of the Senate intelligence committee told the Department of Justice (DOJ) that they believed that Bannon, Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump Jr. may have misled them with their testimony about Russia investigation.{{Cite news |title=Senate panel told Justice Dept. of suspicions over Trump family members' Russia testimony |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/senate-intelligence-committee-donald-trump-jr-jared-kushner-stephen-bannon-erik-prince/2020/08/15/a7905a84-def5-11ea-b205-ff838e15a9a6_story.html |access-date=September 27, 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=June 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622081123/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/senate-intelligence-committee-donald-trump-jr-jared-kushner-stephen-bannon-erik-prince/2020/08/15/a7905a84-def5-11ea-b205-ff838e15a9a6_story.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Polantz |first=Katelyn |date=August 16, 2020 |title=Washington Post: Senate Intel leaders told DOJ they believed Bannon, Donald Trump Jr. and Kushner may have misled panel |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/16/politics/trump-family-members-russia-testimony/index.html |access-date=September 27, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927071302/https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/16/politics/trump-family-members-russia-testimony/index.html |url-status=live }}

Bannon's employment in the White House ended on August 18, 2017, less than a week after the August 11–12, 2017, Charlottesville Unite the Right rally which degenerated into violence and acrimony. Whereas members of both political parties condemned the hatred and violence of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and alt-right activists, The New York Times noted that Trump "was the only national political figure to spread blame for the 'hatred, bigotry and violence' that resulted in the death of one person to 'many sides'."{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/12/us/trump-charlottesville-protest-nationalist-riot.html|title=Trump's Remarks on Charlottesville Violence Are Criticized as Insufficient|last1=Thrush|first1=Glenn|date=August 12, 2017|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=August 13, 2017|last2=Haberman|first2=Maggie |authorlink2=Maggie Haberman |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813063414/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/12/us/trump-charlottesville-protest-nationalist-riot.html|archive-date=August 13, 2017}} The decision to blame "many sides" was reported to have come from Bannon.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/14/us/politics/steve-bannon-trump-white-house.html|title=Bannon in Limbo as Trump Faces Growing Calls for the Strategist's Ouster|last1=Haberman|first1=Maggie |authorlink=Maggie Haberman |date=August 14, 2017|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=August 14, 2017|last2=Thrush|first2=Glenn |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815032653/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/14/us/politics/steve-bannon-trump-white-house.html |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |archive-date=August 15, 2017}} The NAACP released a statement saying that while they "acknowledge and appreciate President Trump's disavowment of the hatred which has resulted in a loss of life today", they called on Trump "to take the tangible step to remove Steve Bannon – a well-known white supremacist leader – from his team of advisers". The statement further described Bannon as a "symbol of white nationalism" who "energized that sentiment" through his current position within the White House.{{cite news|publisher=NAACP|url=http://www.naacp.org/latest/naacp-condemns-unite-the-right-hate-rally-in-charlottesville-virginia/|title=NAACP Condemns 'Unite The Right' Hate Rally in Charlottesville, Virginia|date=August 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814025101/http://www.naacp.org/latest/naacp-condemns-unite-the-right-hate-rally-in-charlottesville-virginia/|archive-date=August 14, 2017}}{{Cite news |url=http://amsterdamnews.com/news/2017/aug/13/black-leaders-speak-charlottesville-violence|title=Black leaders speak on Charlottesville violence|newspaper=New York Amsterdam News |date=August 13, 2017 |issn=1059-1818 |oclc=13416782 |access-date=August 14, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814022230/http://amsterdamnews.com/news/2017/aug/13/black-leaders-speak-charlottesville-violence|archive-date=August 14, 2017}}

Some sources stated that White House chief of staff John F. Kelly asked Bannon on August 18, 2017, to submit his immediate resignation in lieu of being fired.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/08/18/politics/steve-bannon-white-house/index.html |first1=Jeremy |last1=Diamond|first2=Kaitlan |last2=Collins |first3=Elizabeth |last3=Landers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819221152/https://www.cnn.com/2017/08/18/politics/steve-bannon-white-house/index.html |archive-date=August 19, 2017 |title=Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon fired|date=August 19, 2017|publisher=CNN|access-date=April 18, 2018}} Bannon, however, stated he was not fired but rather submitted his two-week resignation notice on August 4, 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.circa.com/story/2017/08/18/nation/trump-reportedly-tells-aides-he-has-decided-to-remove-bannon |title=Bannon said he has resigned from Trump's White House |first=Sara A. |last=Carter |publisher=Sinclair Broadcast Group |website=circa.com |date=August 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823105120/https://www.circa.com/story/2017/08/18/nation/trump-reportedly-tells-aides-he-has-decided-to-remove-bannon |archive-date=August 23, 2017 |access-date=August 18, 2017}} He reminded The Weekly Standard that he had joined then-presidential candidate Trump's campaign on August 14, 2016, and said he'd "always planned on spending one year", but that he stayed a few more days due to the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.{{cite news|last1=Boyer|first1=Peter J.|title=Bannon: 'The Trump Presidency That We Fought For, and Won, Is Over.'|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/bannon-the-trump-presidency-that-we-fought-for-and-won-is-over./article/2009355 |access-date=August 18, 2017|website=The Weekly Standard|date=August 18, 2017|archive-date=September 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918190134/http://www.weeklystandard.com/bannon-the-trump-presidency-that-we-fought-for-and-won-is-over./article/2009355#.WZdoMDO-RME.twitter}}

In an official statement, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said: "John Kelly and Steve Bannon have mutually agreed today would be Steve's last day. We are grateful for his service and wish him the best."{{cite news |last=Haberman |first=Maggie |authorlink=Maggie Haberman |newspaper=The New York Times |title=Trump Tells Aides He Has Decided to Remove Stephen Bannon |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/18/us/politics/steve-bannon-trump-white-house.html |date=August 18, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |access-date=August 18, 2017 |archive-date=August 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818172041/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/18/us/politics/steve-bannon-trump-white-house.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news|last1=Collins|first1=Kaitlan|last2=Diamond|first2=Jeremy|last3=Landers|first3=Elizabeth|publisher=CNN|title=Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon fired|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/18/politics/steve-bannon-white-house/index.html|date=August 18, 2017|access-date=August 18, 2017|archive-date=August 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818173219/http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/18/politics/steve-bannon-white-house/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Parker|first1=Ashley|last2=Rucker|first2=Philip|last3=Costa|first3=Robert|last4=Paletta|first4=Damian|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=Trump gets rid of White House chief strategist Stephen Bannon|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-decides-to-get-rid-of-white-house-chief-strategist-stephen-bannon/2017/08/18/98cd5c40-8430-11e7-902a-2a9f2d808496_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-high_bannon-109pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory|date=August 18, 2017|access-date=August 18, 2017|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902232058/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-decides-to-get-rid-of-white-house-chief-strategist-stephen-bannon/2017/08/18/98cd5c40-8430-11e7-902a-2a9f2d808496_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-high_bannon-109pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory|url-status=live}} The same day, Breitbart News announced that Bannon would return to the site as executive chairman. Several weeks after his departure it was reported that Trump still called Bannon using his personal cell phone and was only calling when chief of staff Kelly was not around.{{cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-calling-steve-bannon-2017-8|title=Trump reportedly calls Steve Bannon on his personal phone when John Kelly isn't around|last=Choi|first=David|date=September 2, 2017|website=Business Insider|access-date=September 2, 2017|archive-date=September 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901163615/http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-calling-steve-bannon-2017-8|url-status=live}} The Washington Post reported in October 2017 that Trump and Bannon remained in regular contact.{{cite news |last1=Parker |first1=Ashley |last2=Rucker |first2=Philip |title='The President's Wingman': Absent in the West Wing, Bannon Stays Close to Trump |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-presidents-wingman-absent-in-the-west-wing-bannon-stays-close-to-trump/2017/10/20/85c45c3a-b4e0-11e7-be94-fabb0f1e9ffb_story.html |date=October 21, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 21, 2017 |archive-date=October 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021155229/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-presidents-wingman-absent-in-the-west-wing-bannon-stays-close-to-trump/2017/10/20/85c45c3a-b4e0-11e7-be94-fabb0f1e9ffb_story.html |url-status=live }}

In January 2018, upon the publication of Michael Wolff's book Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, which attributed many controversial and inflammatory statements to Bannon, Bannon and Trump became estranged and were widely seen as enemies.{{Cite news |date=January 3, 2018 |title=From allies to enemies – Trump slams Bannon over treason claims |language=en |website=Euronews |url=http://www.euronews.com/2018/01/03/from-allies-to-enemies-trump-slams-bannon-over-treason-claims |access-date=January 4, 2018 |archive-date=January 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104023857/http://www.euronews.com/2018/01/03/from-allies-to-enemies-trump-slams-bannon-over-treason-claims |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last=Graham |first=David A. |title=Trump: When Bannon 'Was Fired, He Not Only Lost His Job, He Lost His Mind' |language=en-US |magazine=The Atlantic |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/01/the-president-vs-steve-bannon/549617/ |access-date=January 4, 2018 |archive-date=January 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104002031/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/01/the-president-vs-steve-bannon/549617/ |url-status=live }} The book quoted Bannon as saying that Ivanka Trump was "as dumb as a brick"; that the meeting among Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, Paul Manafort, and agents of Russia was "treasonous";{{Cite news |last=Vazquez |first=Maegan |title=Bannon: 2016 Trump Tower meeting was 'treasonous' |publisher=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/03/politics/bannon-wolff-fire-and-fury/index.html |access-date=January 4, 2018 |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020052/https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/03/politics/bannon-wolff-fire-and-fury/index.html |url-status=live }} and that Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller would cause Donald Trump Jr. to "crack like an egg on live television".{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Tucker |date=January 3, 2018 |title=Bannon says Trump Tower meeting was 'treasonous,' Russia probe will 'crack Don Junior like an egg' |publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/03/steve-bannon-says-a-june-2016-trump-tower-meeting-was-treasonous.html |access-date=January 4, 2018 |archive-date=January 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103163420/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/03/steve-bannon-says-a-june-2016-trump-tower-meeting-was-treasonous.html |url-status=live }} Bannon also warned that investigators would likely uncover money laundering involving Jared Kushner and his family business loans from Deutsche Bank.{{Cite news |last=Anapol |first=Avery |date=January 3, 2018 |title=Bannon warned Russia probe would focus on money laundering: report |website=The Hill |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/367189-bannon-warned-the-russia-probe-would-focus-on-money-laundering-report/ |access-date=January 4, 2018 |issn=1521-1568 |oclc=31153202 |archive-date=January 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104192352/http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/367189-bannon-warned-the-russia-probe-would-focus-on-money-laundering-report |url-status=live }}

In his 2019 book Siege, Wolff wrote, "Trump was vulnerable because for 40 years he had run what increasingly seemed to resemble a semi-criminal enterprise," then quoted Bannon as saying, "I think we can drop the 'semi' part." Wolff wrote that Bannon predicted investigations into Trump's finances would be his political downfall, quoting Bannon as saying, "This is where it isn't a witch hunt – even for the hard core, this is where he turns into just a crooked business guy, and one worth $50 million instead of $10 billion. Not the billionaire he said he was, just another scumbag."{{Cite news |last=Helmore |first=Edward |date=May 29, 2019 |title=Bannon described Trump Organization as 'criminal enterprise', Michael Wolff book claims |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/28/bannon-trump-organization-criminal-enterprise-comments-michael-wolff-book |issn=0261-3077 |oclc=60623878 |eissn=1756-3224 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=May 30, 2019 |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020046/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/28/bannon-trump-organization-criminal-enterprise-comments-michael-wolff-book |url-status=live }}

In January 2018, after excerpts from Fire and Fury were published, Trump promptly disavowed Bannon, saying that Bannon "lost his mind" when he left the White House, and attacking him in multiple angry statements.{{Cite news |last1=Wayne |first1=Alex |last2=Jacobs |first2=Jennifer |date=January 3, 2018 |title=Trump Says Bannon 'Lost His Mind' After Leaving White House |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-03/trump-says-bannon-lost-his-mind-after-leaving-white-house |access-date=January 4, 2018 |website=Bloomberg}}{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Peter |last2=Haberman |first2=Maggie |date=January 3, 2018 |title=Trump Breaks With Bannon, Saying He Has 'Lost His Mind' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/03/us/politics/trump-bannon.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180305224832/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/03/us/politics/trump-bannon.html |archive-date=March 5, 2018 |access-date=January 5, 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |oclc=1645522 |authorlink2=Maggie Haberman |eissn=1553-8095}} Trump asserted in a tweet that Bannon had "cried when he got fired and begged for his job"{{Cite news |last=Tenbarge |first=Kat |date=August 3, 2019 |title=Trump says Steve Bannon was one of his 'best pupils' 19 months after calling him 'Sloppy Steve Bannon, who cried when he got fired and begged for his job' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-changes-tune-sloppy-steve-bannon-now-one-best-pupils-2019-8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823073451/https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-changes-tune-sloppy-steve-bannon-now-one-best-pupils-2019-8 |archive-date=August 23, 2020 |access-date=August 21, 2020 |website=Business Insider}}{{Cite magazine |last=Mizoguchi |first=Karen |date=January 6, 2018 |title=Trump Calls Author 'a Total Loser' & Claims Steve Bannon 'Cried When He Got Fired' In Twitter Rant |url=https://people.com/politics/trump-calls-author-a-total-loser-claims-steve-bannon-cried-when-he-got-fired-in-twitter-rant/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226020848/https://people.com/politics/trump-calls-author-a-total-loser-claims-steve-bannon-cried-when-he-got-fired-in-twitter-rant/ |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |access-date=August 21, 2021 |magazine=People}} and publicly referred to Bannon with an unflattering nickname ("Sloppy Steve") in reference to Bannon's usually disheveled appearance.{{cite news |last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie |last2=Schmidt |first2=Michael S. |last3=Peters |first3=Jeremy W. |date=August 20, 2020 |title=Arrest Disrupts Bannon's Efforts to Stay Relevant After Leaving White House |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/20/us/politics/stephen-bannon-arrest.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020106/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/20/us/politics/stephen-bannon-arrest.html |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |access-date=August 21, 2020 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |oclc=1645522 |eissn=1553-8095 |authorlink=Maggie Haberman}}{{cite news |last=Flegenheimer |first=Matt |date=January 5, 2018 |title=Band of the Insulted: The Nicknames of Trump's Adversaries |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/05/us/politics/trump-nicknames.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811155221/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/05/us/politics/trump-nicknames.html |archive-date=August 11, 2022 |access-date=August 1, 2022 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |oclc=1645522 |eissn=1553-8095}} On January 7, 2018, Bannon expressed regret over his delayed response, declared his "unwavering" support for Trump and his agenda, and praised Donald Trump Jr.{{cite news |last1=Torry |first1=Harriet |last2=Ballhaus |first2=Rebecca |date=January 8, 2018 |title=Bannon apologizes over 'Fire and Fury,' claims 'unwavering' support for Trump |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/bannon-backpedals-on-book-comments-claims-unwavering-support-for-trump-2018-01-07 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110054617/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/bannon-backpedals-on-book-comments-claims-unwavering-support-for-trump-2018-01-07 |archive-date=January 10, 2018 |access-date=January 9, 2018 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |via=MarketWatch}} Bannon said his remarks about the campaign meeting were aimed at Manafort instead of Trump Jr., a detail which Wolff contested.{{cite news |date=January 8, 2018 |title=Bannon's 'treasonous' comment directed at Trump Jr., not Manafort: author |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-book/bannons-treasonous-comment-directed-at-trump-jr-not-manafort-author-idUSKBN1EX2BX |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165026/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-book/bannons-treasonous-comment-directed-at-trump-jr-not-manafort-author-idUSKBN1EX2BX |archive-date=January 11, 2018 |access-date=January 11, 2018 |publisher=Reuters}}

Despite Trump's disparagement of him, Bannon retained ties with Trump. In an appearance in August 2019 on CNBC, Bannon praised Trump as a "great leader as president" and "amazing campaigner"; in response, Trump called Bannon "one of my best pupils" and "still a giant Trump fan" and said he "loved working with" Bannon. In 2018, Bannon released a pro-Trump documentary, Trump @War through his production company, Victory Films; the film aimed to galvanize Trump supporters ahead of the 2018 elections in a bid to keep a Republican majority in the House.{{Cite news |last1=Isenstadt |first1=Alex |last2=Karni |first2=Annie |date=August 15, 2018 |title=Bannon mounts last-ditch effort to save the House for Trump |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/08/15/bannon-comeback-midterms-trump-impeachment-779225 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020120/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/08/15/bannon-comeback-midterms-trump-impeachment-779225 |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |access-date=August 25, 2021 |website=Politico}} In October 2019, Bannon began co-hosting War Room: Impeachment, a daily radio show and podcast in which he offered advice to the Trump administration and its allies on how to counter the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump.{{cite news |last=Peters |first=Jeremy W. |date=October 23, 2019 |title=Steve Bannon Has Some Impeachment Advice for Trump |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/23/us/politics/steve-bannon-trump-war-room-radio.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121084355/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/23/us/politics/steve-bannon-trump-war-room-radio.html |archive-date=November 21, 2019 |access-date=November 22, 2019 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |oclc=1645522 |eissn=1553-8095}} In 2020, Bannon began a podcast War Room: Pandemic, broadcast from his Capitol Hill townhouse; Bannon told friends that Trump had "told others that he watches the program and that the president was familiar enough with it to cite specific interviews he had seen when the two men spoke this summer". A February 2023 Brookings Institution study found Bannon's podcast contained the highest proportion of false, misleading and unsubstantiated statements among 36,603 episodes produced by 79 prominent political podcasters.{{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Stuart A. |date=February 9, 2023 |title=Steve Bannon's Podcast Is Top Misinformation Spreader, Study Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/09/technology/podcasts-steve-bannon-war-room-misinformation.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210225520/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/09/technology/podcasts-steve-bannon-war-room-misinformation.html |archive-date=February 10, 2023 |access-date=February 10, 2023 |newspaper=The New York Times}}

Bannon has made efforts to unseat incumbent Republican members of Congress he deemed to be insufficiently supportive of Trump's agenda.{{cite news |last1=Tapper |first1=Jake |title=Source: Bannon and Allies Preparing Primary Challenges Against GOP Senators |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/10/politics/steven-bannon-gop-senators-primary-challenges/index.html |date=September 11, 2017 |publisher=CNN |access-date=October 21, 2017 |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020045/https://www.cnn.com/2017/09/10/politics/steven-bannon-gop-senators-primary-challenges/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Bolton |first1=Alexander |title=Senate GOP Prepares for a War with Bannon |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/355940-senate-gop-prepares-for-a-war-with-bannon/ |date=October 18, 2017 |newspaper=The Hill |issn=1521-1568 |oclc=31153202 |access-date=October 21, 2017 |archive-date=October 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020213722/http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/355940-senate-gop-prepares-for-a-war-with-bannon |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Blake |first1=Aaron |title=Why Steve Bannon's threat to primary almost every GOP senator should frighten Republicans |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/10/10/why-steve-bannons-targeting-of-incumbent-senators-is-a-serious-threat-to-the-gop/ |date=October 10, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 21, 2017 |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020107/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/10/10/why-steve-bannons-targeting-of-incumbent-senators-is-a-serious-threat-to-the-gop/ |url-status=live }} In October 2017, Bannon said he planned to sponsor primary challenges against six of the seven incumbent Republican senators in the 2018 elections. He said he had two requirements for a candidate to earn his support: they must pledge to vote against Mitch McConnell as Senate majority leader and to end the Senate filibuster.{{Cite news |last1=Relman |first1=Eliza |title=Steve Bannon is Orchestrating a 'Bloody Civil War' in the GOP in 2018 |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/steve-bannon-gop-senate-candidates-2018-2017-10 |date=October 15, 2017 |website=Business Insider |access-date=October 21, 2017 |archive-date=October 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020013052/http://www.businessinsider.com/steve-bannon-gop-senate-candidates-2018-2017-10 |url-status=live }} Bannon used his group Citizens of the American Republic to aide him in his efforts to help keep Republican control of the House of Representatives in the 2018 election.{{Cite news |last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie |authorlink=Maggie Haberman |last2=Peters |first2=Jeremy W. |date=August 15, 2018 |title=Bannon's New Group Issues a Midterm Plea: Save Trump |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/15/us/politics/steve-bannon-midterms-trump.html |access-date=August 25, 2021 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |oclc=1645522 |eissn=1553-8095 |archive-date=June 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610044246/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/15/us/politics/steve-bannon-midterms-trump.html |url-status=live }} The group is a dark money organization; Bannon declined to "describe his donors or how much money the group has raised".

Bannon received credit for helping Roy Moore defeat incumbent senator Luther Strange in the September Republican primary for the 2017 special Alabama Senate election, despite Trump's having endorsed Strange.{{cite news |last1=Desiderio |first1=Andrew |title=Bannon Defeats Trump as Roy Moore Cruises to Victory in Alabama |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/bannon-defeats-trump-as-roy-moore-cruises-to-victory-in-alabama |publisher=InterActiveCorp |date=September 26, 2017 |website=The Daily Beast |access-date=October 21, 2017 |archive-date=October 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019195234/https://www.thedailybeast.com/bannon-defeats-trump-as-roy-moore-cruises-to-victory-in-alabama |url-status=live }} After nine women alleged sexual misconduct, Bannon doubled down on his support for the candidate, raising doubt about the veracity of the accusations.{{Cite news |last1=Green |first1=Joshua |title=How Steve Bannon Rescued Roy Moore's Campaign Against All Odds |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-11/how-steve-bannon-rescued-roy-moore-s-campaign-against-all-odds |date=December 11, 2017 |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=April 8, 2019 |archive-date=April 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408155717/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-11/how-steve-bannon-rescued-roy-moore-s-campaign-against-all-odds |url-status=live }} When Ivanka Trump condemned Moore's campaign in Alabama, saying "there's a special place in hell for people who prey on children", Bannon responded, "What about the allegations about her dad and that 13-year-old?", in reference to a woman who accused Trump and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein of raping her at that age.

In what had been considered a safe Republican seat, Moore lost the election on December 12, 2017. Bannon's reputation as a political strategist was subsequently questioned by Republican commentators.{{cite news |last1=Farhi |first1=Paul |title=Alabama was supposed to turn Steve Bannon and Breitbart into kingmakers. Now what? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/alabama-was-supposed-to-turn-steve-bannon-and-breitbart-into-kingmakers-now-what/2017/12/13/261460b2-e034-11e7-8679-a9728984779c_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214195956/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/alabama-was-supposed-to-turn-steve-bannon-and-breitbart-into-kingmakers-now-what/2017/12/13/261460b2-e034-11e7-8679-a9728984779c_story.html |archive-date=December 14, 2017}}

After leaving the White House in August 2017, Bannon declared his intention to become "the infrastructure, globally, for the global populist movement". He toured Europe to speak at events with various far-right political parties there, in a bid to build a network of right-wing populist-nationalist parties aspiring to government.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.newsweek.com/steve-bannon-frozen-out-us-forming-ties-european-far-right-839609 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311201438/http://www.newsweek.com/steve-bannon-frozen-out-us-forming-ties-european-far-right-839609 |archive-date=March 11, 2018 |title=Steve Bannon, frozen out in the U.S., wants to foment a European populist uprising|date=March 10, 2018|magazine=Newsweek|access-date=June 15, 2022 |last1=Porter |first1=Tom |agency=Reuters |language=en}} Bannon visited the Dutch Party for Freedom,{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/02/04/when-steve-bannon-dug-the-radical-left|title=Steve Bannon's Shout-Out to a Left-Wing Terror Group |archive-date=July 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706173919/https://www.thedailybeast.com/steve-bannons-shout-out-to-a-left-wing-terror-group |last=Radosh|first=Ronald|date=February 4, 2017|website=The Daily Beast|access-date=March 30, 2018|publisher=InterActiveCorp |language=en}} the Freedom Party of Austria in October 2017,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/26/opinion/republicans-trump.html|title=Opinion {{!}} The Party of Lincoln Is Now the Party of Trump|last=Edsall|first=Thomas B.|date=October 26, 2017|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=March 30, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|eissn=1553-8095|oclc=1645522|archive-date=March 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330080125/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/26/opinion/republicans-trump.html|url-status=live}} the UK Conservative Party in December 2017,{{cite news |last1=Mason |first1=Rowena |first2=Heather |last2=Stewart |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg met Steve Bannon to discuss US-UK politics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/dec/01/jacob-rees-mogg-held-meeting-with-steve-bannon-in-london |access-date=June 15, 2022 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202233641/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/dec/01/jacob-rees-mogg-held-meeting-with-steve-bannon-in-london |archive-date=December 2, 2017 |oclc=60623878|issn=0261-3077 |eissn=1756-3224 |quote=Tory grassroots favourite met ex-Trump adviser this week to discuss how conservative movements can win in Britain}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-steve-bannon-meeting-politics-london-hotel-breitbart-tory-a8088001.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-steve-bannon-meeting-politics-london-hotel-breitbart-tory-a8088001.html |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Jacob Rees-Mogg 'met with Steve Bannon to discuss US-UK politics'|date=December 2, 2017|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=December 15, 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/elections/2018/07/boris-johnson-s-meeting-steve-bannon-sign-his-true-character|title=Boris Johnson's meeting with Steve Bannon is a sign of his true character|website=New Statesman|first=Stephen|last=Bush|date=July 26, 2018 |archive-date=August 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807231145/https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/elections/2018/07/boris-johnson-s-meeting-steve-bannon-sign-his-true-character |language=en|access-date=June 15, 2022}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/16380961.boris-johnson-met-with-steve-bannon-during-uk-visit/|title=Boris met with alt-right figure during UK visit|website=The National|language=en |issn=2057-231X |publisher=Herald & Times Group |location=Glasgow |last=Learmonth |first=Andrew |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020125232/https://www.thenational.scot/news/16380961.boris-johnson-met-with-steve-bannon-during-uk-visit/ |date=July 27, 2018 |archive-date=October 20, 2018 |access-date=June 15, 2022}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/22/video-reveals-steve-bannon-links-to-boris-johnson|title=Video reveals Steve Bannon links to Boris Johnson|last=Cadwalladr|first=Carole|date=June 22, 2019|website=The Observer|access-date=December 15, 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0029-7712|archive-date=March 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325210717/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/22/video-reveals-steve-bannon-links-to-boris-johnson|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/22/boris-johnson-steve-bannon-texts-foreign-secretary-resignation-speech|title=Steve Bannon: 'We went back and forth' on the themes of Johnson's big speech|last=Cadwalladr|first=Carole|date=June 22, 2019|website=The Observer|access-date=December 15, 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0029-7712|archive-date=March 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325210740/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/22/boris-johnson-steve-bannon-texts-foreign-secretary-resignation-speech|url-status=live}} the Swiss People's Party in March 2018,{{Cite news |date=March 5, 2018 |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/former-trump-strategist_steve-bannon-comes-to-zurich/43940860|title=Why is Steve Bannon coming to Zurich?|last=Warner|first=Daniel |publisher=Swiss Broadcasting Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210024255/https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/former-trump-strategist_steve-bannon-comes-to-zurich/43940860 |archive-date=December 10, 2019 |location=Bern |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |access-date=June 15, 2022|language=en}} the UK Independence Party, the Flemish Vlaams Belang, the Belgian People's Party, Alternative for Germany in March 2018,{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/german-afd-party-seeks-steve-bannons-help-to-fight-fake-news-cznjpbbq6|title=German AfD party seeks Steve Bannon's help to fight 'fake news'|last=Berlin|first=David Charter|date=March 7, 2018|newspaper=The Times|access-date=March 29, 2018|language=en|issn=0140-0460|archive-date=March 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330080330/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/german-afd-party-seeks-steve-bannons-help-to-fight-fake-news-cznjpbbq6|url-status=live}} France's National Front (now the National Rally) in March 2018,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/10/world/europe/steve-bannon-france-national-front.html|title='Let Them Call You Racists': Bannon's Pep Talk to National Front|last=Nossiter|first=Adam|date=March 10, 2018|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=March 30, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|eissn=1553-8095|oclc=1645522|archive-date=February 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020017/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/10/world/europe/steve-bannon-france-national-front.html|url-status=live}} the Italian League, the Brothers of Italy in September 2018, Hungary's Fidesz in March 2018,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/27/world/europe/viktor-orban-hungary.html|title=How Viktor Orban Bends Hungarian Society to His Will|last=Kingsley|first=Patrick|date=March 27, 2018|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=March 30, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|eissn=1553-8095|oclc=1645522|archive-date=March 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330080501/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/27/world/europe/viktor-orban-hungary.html|url-status=live}} the Sweden Democrats in March 2018,{{cite news|newspaper=Dagens Nyheter|last1=af Kleen |last2=Bannon |first1=Björn |first2=Stephen K.|location=Sweden |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330070755/https://www.dn.se/nyheter/varlden/bannon-weve-studied-the-sweden-democrats-for-a-while/ |access-date=June 20, 2022 |archive-date=March 30, 2018 |title=Bannon: "We've studied the Sweden Democrats for a while"|date=March 28, 2018|url=https://www.dn.se/nyheter/varlden/bannon-weve-studied-the-sweden-democrats-for-a-while/}} the Polish Law and Justice in September 2018,{{cite news|agency=Agence France-Presse (AFP) |newspaper=Der Tagesspiegel|title=Trumps früherer Chefstratege will Europas Rechten zum Sieg verhelfen|date=September 22, 2018|url=https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/steve-bannon-trumps-frueherer-chefstratege-will-europas-rechten-zum-sieg-verhelfen/22830322.html|access-date=February 3, 2019 |archive-date=July 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727165615/https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/steve-bannon-trumps-frueherer-chefstratege-will-europas-rechten-zum-sieg-verhelfen/22830322.html |language=de}} Spain's Vox in July 2018,{{Cite news |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/vox-party-in-spain-could-bring-right-wing-populist-wave-with-help-from-steve-bannon.html|website=Slate |location=New York City |title=Spain Has Resisted the Right-Wing Populist Wave. A New Party Is Trying to Change That With Help From Steve Bannon.|first=Darren|last=Loucaides|date=July 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728230511/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/07/vox-party-in-spain-could-bring-right-wing-populist-wave-with-help-from-steve-bannon.html |archive-date=July 28, 2018 |issn=1091-2339 |oclc=728292344 |access-date=August 22, 2018}} the Finns Party in July 2018, the pan-European identitarian movement in March 2018,{{Cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330032348/https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2018/03/28/breitbart%E2%80%99s-european-coverage-gives-identitarians-full-embrace |archive-date=March 30, 2018 |last=Neiwert |first=David |url=https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2018/03/28/breitbart%E2%80%99s-european-coverage-gives-identitarians-full-embrace |title=Breitbart's European coverage gives Identitarians the full embrace|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date=March 28, 2018|language=en}} Republika Srpska's Alliance of Independent Social Democrats in August 2018,{{cite news |newspaper=The Times |last=Smith |first=Hannah Lucinda |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919211421/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bannon-courts-serb-nationalists-to-build-far-right-bloc-l55hd6fcf |archive-date=September 19, 2018 |access-date=June 21, 2022 |date=August 2, 2018 |location=London Bridge Place |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/bannon-courts-serb-nationalists-to-build-far-right-bloc-l55hd6fcf |url-status=live |title=Steve Bannon courts Serb nationalists to build far-right bloc}} the Five Star Movement in May 2019,{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/21/brexit-party-nigel-farage-italy-digital-populists-five-star-movement |title=Building the Brexit party: how Nigel Farage copied Italy's digital populists |newspaper=The Guardian |date=May 21, 2019 |first=Darren |last=Loucaides |oclc=60623878 |issn=0261-3077 |eissn=1756-3224 |access-date=July 17, 2022 |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718022659/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/21/brexit-party-nigel-farage-italy-digital-populists-five-star-movement |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/story/italy-five-star-movement-techno-utopians/|title=What Happens When Techno-Utopians Actually Run a Country|date=February 14, 2019|magazine=Wired|access-date=February 15, 2019|first=Darren|last=Loucaides|issn=1059-1028|eissn=1078-3148|oclc=24479723|language=en|archive-date=February 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020006/https://www.wired.com/story/italy-five-star-movement-techno-utopians/|url-status=live}} and the Israeli Likud.{{cite news|magazine=The New Yorker|date=December 12, 2016|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/12/12/is-steve-bannon-good-for-the-jews|title=Is Steve Bannon Good for the Jews?|first=Andrew|last=Marantz|author-link=Andrew Marantz|access-date=August 24, 2021|archive-date=October 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018181924/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/12/12/is-steve-bannon-good-for-the-jews|url-status=live}} Bannon believes that these movements – along with Japan's Shinzo Abe, India's Narendra Modi, Russia's Vladimir Putin, Saudi Arabia's Mohammad bin Salman, China's Xi Jinping, Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,{{cite news |last1=Caruso-Cabrera |first1=Michelle |last2=Bannon |first2=Steve |title=Steve Bannon: Trump gravitates towards strong personalities |url=https://www.cnbc.com/video/2018/07/19/steve-bannon-trump-gravitates-towards-strong-personalities.html |publisher=CNBC |date=July 19, 2018 |location=Englewood Cliffs NJ |access-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814165009/https://www.cnbc.com/video/2018/07/19/steve-bannon-trump-gravitates-towards-strong-personalities.html |url-status=live }} and Trump, as well as similar leaders in Egypt, the Philippines, Poland, and South Korea – are part of a global shift towards nationalism.{{cite news|website=Ahval News|url=https://ahvalnews.com/recep-tayyip-erdogan/erdogan-most-dangerous-guy-world-former-trump-advisor-bannon|title=Erdoğan "most dangerous guy in the world" – former Trump advisor Bannon|date=July 20, 2018|access-date=July 28, 2018|archive-date=October 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001164155/https://ahvalnews.com/recep-tayyip-erdogan/erdogan-most-dangerous-guy-world-former-trump-advisor-bannon}}{{cite news|magazine=The New Yorker|title=A Saudi Prince's Quest to Remake the Middle East|date=April 9, 2018|access-date=August 24, 2021|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/04/09/a-saudi-princes-quest-to-remake-the-middle-east|first=Dexter|last=Filkins|author-link=Dexter Filkins|archive-date=August 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809023149/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/04/09/a-saudi-princes-quest-to-remake-the-middle-east|url-status=live}} Bannon's attempt to build a network of far-right parties in Europe had only limited success;{{Cite news |last1=Hosenball |first1=Mark |title=Steve Bannon's effort to export his fiery popularism to Europe is failing |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-bannon-europe/steve-bannons-effort-to-export-his-fiery-popularism-to-europe-is-failing-idUSKBN25T1NZ |date=September 2, 2020 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911102809/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-bannon-europe/steve-bannons-effort-to-export-his-fiery-popularism-to-europe-is-failing-idUSKBN25T1NZ |url-status=live }} while he appeared at events with the French National Rally's Marine Le Pen and the Italian League's Matteo Salvini, the Sweden Democrats said that it had "no interest" in Bannon's initiative, the Flemish Vlaams Belang called it "poorly organized", and the Alternative for Germany cited divergent views among the parties.{{Cite news|title=Why Doesn't Steve Bannon Matter in Europe?|date=October 12, 2019|first=Yasmeen|last=Serhan|magazine=The Atlantic|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/10/why-doesnt-steve-bannon-matter-in-europe/599917/|access-date=August 20, 2020|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727191603/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/10/why-doesnt-steve-bannon-matter-in-europe/599917/|url-status=live}} Right-wing populist parties did not achieve a surge in support in the 2019 European Parliament elections. The Atlantic cited a number of factors inhibiting Bannon's project, including differing national and ideological views among the European far right and U.S.-skeptical views held by some parties of the European extreme right.

Bannon supports the Dignitatis Humanae Institute, a right-wing Catholic organization in Italy formerly based in what was previously Trisulti Charterhouse; Bannon drafted a leadership course curriculum for the group to train conservative Catholic political activists.{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-politics-bannon-catholics-idUSKCN1LU176 |title=Steve Bannon drafting curriculum for right-wing Catholic institute in Italy |date=September 14, 2018 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=April 17, 2019 |language=en |first=Mark |last=Hosenball |archive-date=April 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417200630/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-politics-bannon-catholics-idUSKCN1LU176 |url-status=live }} In 2018, Bannon announced that he planned to establish a right-wing academy on the site,{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/stop-bannon-free-europe-italian-protestors-fight-to-reclaim-holy-ground-far-right/|title=The fight to reclaim holy ground from Steve Bannon|date=March 17, 2019|access-date=April 17, 2019|author=Zampano, Giada|website=Politico Europe|archive-date=April 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416233446/https://www.politico.eu/article/stop-bannon-free-europe-italian-protestors-fight-to-reclaim-holy-ground-far-right/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Harlan|first=Chico|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/italy-disrupts-steve-bannons-plan-for-a-right-wing-academy-in-an-italian-monastery/2019/05/31/0f804838-83d1-11e9-b585-e36b16a531aa_story.html|title=Italy disrupts Steve Bannon's plan for a right-wing academy in a monastery|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=May 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612111130/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/italy-disrupts-steve-bannons-plan-for-a-right-wing-academy-in-an-italian-monastery/2019/05/31/0f804838-83d1-11e9-b585-e36b16a531aa_story.html |archive-date=June 12, 2019 |id={{ProQuest |2233015335}} |issn=0190-8286 |eissn=2641-9599 |oclc=2269358|access-date=June 9, 2019}} with the support of Benjamin Harnwell, a British associate of Bannon's who underwrote the project and aimed to create a "gladiator school for culture warriors".{{cite news |last1=Beam |first1=Alex |title=Is Catholicism ... cool? You bet! |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/09/30/opinion/is-catholicism-cool/ |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=September 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930210903/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/09/30/opinion/is-catholicism-cool/ |archive-date=September 30, 2022 |issn=0743-1791 |oclc=66652431 }}{{cite news |author=Harlan, Chico |issn=0190-8286 |eissn=2641-9599 |oclc=2269358 |title=With support from Steve Bannon, a medieval monastery could become a populist training ground|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/with-support-from-steve-bannon-a-medieval-monastery-could-become-a-populist-training-ground/2018/12/25/86dac38a-d3c4-11e8-a4db-184311d27129_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226132233/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/with-support-from-steve-bannon-a-medieval-monastery-could-become-a-populist-training-ground/2018/12/25/86dac38a-d3c4-11e8-a4db-184311d27129_story.html |archive-date=December 26, 2018 |id={{ProQuest|2160301895}} |newspaper=The Washington Post|date=December 25, 2018}} However, in 2019, the group's rights to use the former monastery were revoked by the Italian government because it determined that the lessee Dignitatis Humanae Institute failed to meet several criteria to operate the monastery and failed in its obligation to pay a "concession fee" as well as maintenance and security expenses.{{cite web |language=it |last1=Vacca |first1=Gianluca |title=Certosa Trisulti. Vacca: Mancanza Di Requisiti E Inadempienze, Revoca Concessione Atto Dovuto |url=http://www.beniculturali.it/mibac/export/MiBAC/sito-MiBAC/Contenuti/MibacUnif/Comunicati/visualizza_asset.html_372278429.html |publisher=Ministero per i beni e le attività culturali |access-date=July 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601212222/http://www.beniculturali.it/mibac/export/MiBAC/sito-MiBAC/Contenuti/MibacUnif/Comunicati/visualizza_asset.html_372278429.html |archive-date=June 1, 2019 |date=May 31, 2019}}

In August 2018, Bannon met with Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro, and served as informal advisor to the Bolsonaro campaign in the Brazilian presidential elections that year.{{cite news |url=https://www.dn.pt/mundo/interior/depois-de-trump-bannon-ajuda-na-campanha-de-bolsonaro-9972152.html |title=Depois de Trump, Bannon ajuda na campanha de Bolsonaro |date=October 9, 2018 |access-date=October 9, 2018 |first=Maria Joao |last=Caetano |newspaper=Diario de Noticias |archive-date=October 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009125508/https://www.dn.pt/mundo/interior/depois-de-trump-bannon-ajuda-na-campanha-de-bolsonaro-9972152.html |url-status=live }} In February 2019, the younger Bolsonaro joined Bannon's organization the Movement as its representative in South America.{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-02/jair-bolsonaro-s-son-joins-steve-bannon-s-nationalist-alliance |title=Jair Bolsonaro's Son Joins Steve Bannon's Nationalist Alliance |website=Bloomberg |first=Daniel |last=Zuidijk |date=February 2, 2019 |access-date=February 3, 2019 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202080933/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-02/jair-bolsonaro-s-son-joins-steve-bannon-s-nationalist-alliance |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20190202-son-brazil-president-bolsonaro-joins-steve-bannon-group |title=Son of Brazil President Bolsonaro joins Steve Bannon group |publisher=France24 |date=February 2, 2019 |access-date=February 3, 2019 |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020032/https://www.france24.com/en/20190202-son-brazil-president-bolsonaro-joins-steve-bannon-group |url-status=live }} In March 2019, Bannon met with both Bolsonaros in Washington, D.C.{{Cite news |last1=Ordoñez |first1=Franco |title=Steve Bannon flexes influence during Brazilian president visit with Trump |url=https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article228008904.html |date=March 15, 2019 |publisher=McClatchy |access-date=March 27, 2019 |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327183812/https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article228008904.html |url-status=live }}

In October 2017, after leaving the White House, Bannon met exiled Chinese billionaire businessman Guo Wengui (also known as Miles Kwok), and the pair cultivated a friendship, frequently meeting in Dallas, at Guo's apartment at the Sherry-Netherland in New York, and on Guo's yacht.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/04/business/stephen-bannon-guo-wengui-china.html|title=Steve Bannon and a Fugitive Billionaire Target a Common Enemy: China|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|eissn=1553-8095|oclc=1645522|date=December 4, 2018|first=David|last=Barboza|access-date=August 20, 2020|archive-date=December 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204204502/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/04/business/stephen-bannon-guo-wengui-china.html|url-status=live}} In 2017, Guo reportedly gave a $150,000 loan to Bannon shortly after he left the White House, and a Guo-linked company entered into a $1 million consulting contract with Bannon, beginning in August 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.propublica.org/article/steve-bannon-guo-wengui-private-jet-campaign-finance-law|title=Steve Bannon's Use of Private Jet Linked to Chinese Businessman Could Violate Campaign Finance Law|publisher=ProPublica|date=February 26, 2020|first=Justin|last=Elliott|access-date=August 21, 2020|archive-date=February 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020050/https://www.propublica.org/article/steve-bannon-guo-wengui-private-jet-campaign-finance-law|url-status=live}} In early 2020, Bannon and Guo raised hundreds of millions of dollars in a private offering for a company called GTV Media Group. In August 2020, the Wall Street Journal reported that the fundraising for the company was under investigation of federal and state authorities.{{Cite news|title=Fundraising at Company Tied to Steve Bannon and Guo Wengui Faces Probe|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=August 19, 2020|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/fundraising-at-company-tied-to-steve-bannon-and-guo-wengui-faces-probe-11597857467 |first1=Brian |last1=Spegele |first2=Sha |last2=Hua |first3=Aruna|last3=Viswanatha}}

Guo has allowed Bannon to use one of his two private jets, and during the 2018 election campaign, Bannon flew on Guo's Bombardier Global Express to events in support of Republican congressional candidates in New Mexico and Arizona. The flights were revealed in February 2020 by ProPublica. Bannon made the flights under the auspices of his dark money group, Citizens of the American Republic. Several campaign finance experts who spoke with ProPublica said the trips could violate federal campaign finance law, which prohibits foreign nationals from making contributions to candidates in U.S. political campaigns (including in-kind contributions such as payment for campaign-related travel). Guo and Bannon denied that the travel was for campaign activity; an attorney for Bannon's group stated that the trips on the private jet were to promote Bannon's film, Trump@War.

On June 3, 2020, Bannon and Guo participated in declaring a "New Federal State of China" (also called "Federal State of New China"). It was said that they would overthrow the Chinese government. In New York City, planes were seen carrying banners which said, "Congratulations to Federal State of New China!".{{cite news |url=https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/fortlee/news/public-puzzled-by-planes-circling-state-of-liberty-welcome-to-federal-state-of-new-china/788875/ |title=Public Puzzled By Planes Circling State Of Liberty: 'Welcome To Federal State Of New China' |date=June 3, 2020 |website=Daily Voice |first=Jerry |last=DeMarco |access-date=June 4, 2020 |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604011748/https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/fortlee/news/public-puzzled-by-planes-circling-state-of-liberty-welcome-to-federal-state-of-new-china/788875/ |url-status=live }}

On August 20, 2020, federal prosecutors in New York unsealed criminal charges against Stephen K. Bannon and three other men they alleged defrauded donors to a massive crowdfunding campaign that said it was raising money for construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. After Bannon's arrest, Guo Wengui hurriedly cut ties with him, stressed that he was not involved in Bannon's affairs outside their shared efforts "fighting for democracy in China", and would no longer allow Bannon to continue to serve as a member of Guo Media's board of directors.{{Cite news |author1=邹宗翰 |title=班农涉募款诈骗遭起诉 郭文贵发文切割 |url=https://www.dw.com/zh/%E7%8F%AD%E5%86%9C%E6%B6%89%E5%8B%9F%E6%AC%BE%E8%AF%88%E9%AA%97%E9%81%AD%E8%B5%B7%E8%AF%89-%E9%83%AD%E6%96%87%E8%B4%B5%E5%8F%91%E6%96%87%E5%88%87%E5%89%B2/a-54643480 |publisher=Deutsche Welle |access-date=August 21, 2020 |date=August 21, 2020 |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020125958/https://www.dw.com/zh/%E7%8F%AD%E5%86%9C%E6%B6%89%E5%8B%9F%E6%AC%BE%E8%AF%88%E9%AA%97%E9%81%AD%E8%B5%B7%E8%AF%89-%E9%83%AD%E6%96%87%E8%B4%B5%E5%8F%91%E6%96%87%E5%88%87%E5%89%B2/a-54643480 |url-status=live }}

In November 2020, The New York Times reported that Bannon along with Guo Wengui had been promoting Li-Meng Yan's account of COVID-19. The pair had bought Yan a plane ticket to the United States, provided her accommodation, coached her in media appearances and helped secure interviews with conservative television hosts including Tucker Carlson. Yan later said that the COVID-19 virus was artificially made, however her interview was rejected on social media as misinformation and her research rejected by scientists who said it was "based on conjecture" though filled with jargon.{{Cite web |last1=Brouillette |first1=Monique |last2=Renner |first2=Rebecca |author-link2=Rebecca Renner |date=September 18, 2020 |title=The coronavirus wasn't made in a lab. So why does the 'Yan report' say it was? |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/coronavirus-origins-misinformation-yan-report-fact-check-cvd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506193417/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/coronavirus-origins-misinformation-yan-report-fact-check-cvd |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |access-date=December 6, 2021 |website=Science |language=en}}{{Cite news|last1=Qin|first1=Amy|last2=Wang|first2=Vivian|last3=Hakim|first3=Danny|date=November 20, 2020|title=How Steve Bannon and a Chinese Billionaire Created a Right-Wing Coronavirus Media Sensation|language=en-US|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/20/business/media/steve-bannon-china.html|access-date=December 6, 2021|issn=0362-4331|eissn=1553-8095|oclc=1645522|archive-date=April 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430175006/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/20/business/media/steve-bannon-china.html|url-status=live}}

On January 20, 2021, the Chinese government imposed sanctions against Bannon and 27 other Trump administration officials that "planned, promoted and executed a series of crazy moves, gravely interfered in China's internal affairs, undermined China's interests, offended the Chinese people, and seriously disrupted China-U.S. relations". The sanctions ban them from entering China, including Hong Kong and Macau, and restrict companies and institutions associated with them from doing business in China.{{Cite news |last1=Cadell |first1=Cate |last2=Munroe |first2=Tony |date=21 January 2021 |title=China imposes sanctions on 28 Trump-era officials including Pompeo |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/china-imposes-sanctions-on-28-trump-era-officials-including-pompeo-idUSKBN29P2XJ/ |access-date=29 December 2024 |website=Reuters}}

In an interview with Frontline, former writer for Breitbart News Ben Shapiro said that he tried to avoid interacting with Bannon due to a fear of being on his bad side. Shapiro also recalled Bannon yelling and cursing at people at Breitbart News.{{cite news |orig-date=August 17, 2016 |last1=Barbaro |first1=Michael |last2=Grynbaum |first2=Michael M. |title=Stephen Bannon, a Rookie Campaign Chief Who 'Loves the Fight' |newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/18/us/politics/stephen-bannon.html |date=August 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821141106/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/18/us/politics/stephen-bannon.html |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |page=A1}}{{Cite news |title=Ben Shapiro |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/interview/ben-shapiro/ |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Frontline |language=en-US |archive-date=April 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403073128/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/interview/ben-shapiro/ |url-status=live }} Those who worked with Bannon have described him as "egomaniacal" and "purely Machiavellian".{{Cite news |date=August 20, 2016 |title=Steve Bannon: the Machiavellian 'bully' who made Breitbart into 'Trump Pravda' |url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/aug/20/steve-bannon-profile-breitbart-trump-campaign-manager |access-date=November 17, 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=June 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609185123/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/aug/20/steve-bannon-profile-breitbart-trump-campaign-manager |url-status=live }} Other former staffers at Breitbart who spoke to Politico said that Bannon would degrade employees by mocking their intelligence and would imply they were "expendable, low-life creatures". Several employees who left Breitbart alleged that when they attempted to find employment outside of Breitbart, Bannon attempted to sabotage them. However, other employees praised Bannon's leadership describing him as a generous, loyal, caring, and supportive. Many described Bannon as someone who would pay out of his own pocket for personal expenses.{{Cite news |title=Steve Bannon's 'tough love' |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/steve-bannon-breitbart-employees-criticize-227672 |access-date=November 17, 2022 |website=Politico |date=September 2, 2016 |language=en |archive-date=June 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609185133/https://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/steve-bannon-breitbart-employees-criticize-227672 |url-status=live }}

In his memoir, White House senior adviser Jared Kushner recalled having an abrasive relationship with Bannon and two occasions in which Bannon threatened him, including one in which he threatened to 'break Kushner in half' after he accused Bannon of leaking to the press.{{Cite news |last=Hartmann |first=Margaret |date=August 22, 2022 |title=All the Juicy Gossip From Jared Kushner's Book |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/jared-kushner-breaking-history-book-gossip.html |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=New York Intelligencer |language=en-us |archive-date=September 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901041710/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/jared-kushner-breaking-history-book-gossip.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |first=Kaitlan |last=Collins |title=Jared Kushner details West Wing 'war' with 'toxic' Steve Bannon in new book |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/29/politics/jared-kushner-steve-bannon-west-wing/index.html |access-date=September 26, 2022 |publisher=CNN |date=July 29, 2022 |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927000245/https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/29/politics/jared-kushner-steve-bannon-west-wing/index.html |url-status=live }} Also in his memoir Kushner writes "Bannon single-handedly caused more problems for me than anyone else in my time in Washington. He probably leaked and lied about me more than everyone else combined. He played dirty and dragged me into the mud of the Russia investigation".{{Cite news |last=Collins |first=Kaitlan |date=July 29, 2022 |title=First on CNN: Jared Kushner details West Wing 'war' with 'toxic' Steve Bannon in new book |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/29/politics/jared-kushner-steve-bannon-west-wing/index.html |access-date=November 22, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927000245/https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/29/politics/jared-kushner-steve-bannon-west-wing/index.html |url-status=live }}

He only paid part of the $850,000 legal bill charged by Davidoff, Hutcher & Citron LLP, who represented him in the case for contempt of Congress for his defiance of the January 6 committee subpoena and in the case for the "We Build the Wall" fraud scheme. The law firm sued Bannon, and in July 2023, he was ordered to pay the remaining balance.{{Cite news |last=Offenhartz |first=Jake |date=2023-07-12 |title=Steve Bannon ordered to pay $500k in unpaid legal bills |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/steve-bannon-ordered-to-pay-nearly-500000-in-unpaid-legal-bills |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=PBS NewsHour |language=en-us |archive-date=July 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713181159/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/steve-bannon-ordered-to-pay-nearly-500000-in-unpaid-legal-bills |url-status=live }}

According to Michael Wolff, Bannon was introduced to Jeffrey Epstein in 2017 and Epstein introduced Bannon to some of his friends.{{Cite magazine |last1=Hettena |first1=Seth |date=October 18, 2021 |title=Steve Bannon Thought Jeffrey Epstein Was a Spy |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/steve-bannon-jeffrey-epstein-spy-trump-1242599/ |access-date=October 8, 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=October 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031115343/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/steve-bannon-jeffrey-epstein-spy-trump-1242599/ |url-status=live }} Bannon also worked with Ehud Barak and attorney Reid Weingarten to attempt to reform Epstein's public image.{{Cite news |title=Ehud Barak's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein detailed in new book |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/new-book-details-ehud-baraks-relationship-with-jeffrey-epstein-682241 |access-date=October 8, 2022 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en-US |archive-date=June 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609185125/https://www.jpost.com/international/new-book-details-ehud-baraks-relationship-with-jeffrey-epstein-682241 |url-status=live }} Later reports showed Bannon reportedly prepped Epstein for an interview with 60 Minutes that ultimately never occurred. Bannon confirmed that he did tape 15 hours of interviews with Epstein but denied that he was coaching him for further interviews and that the footage was for an unannounced documentary on Epstein.{{Cite news |date=September 13, 2021 |title=Steve Bannon prepped Jeffrey Epstein for CBS interview, Michael Wolff claims |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/sep/13/steve-bannon-jeffrey-epstein-cbs-interview-michael-wolff-book |access-date=November 12, 2021 |website=The Guardian |language=en |issn=0261-3077 |oclc=60623878 |eissn=1756-3224 |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108193742/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/sep/13/steve-bannon-jeffrey-epstein-cbs-interview-michael-wolff-book |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Ben |date=September 13, 2021 |title=Why Our Monsters Talk to Michael Wolff |language=en-US |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/12/business/media/michael-wolff-powerful-men.html |url-access=limited |access-date=November 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/12/business/media/michael-wolff-powerful-men.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |issn=0362-4331 |oclc=1645522 |eissn=1553-8095}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite magazine |last=Hettena |first=Seth |date=October 18, 2021 |title=Steve Bannon Thought Jeffrey Epstein Was a Spy |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/steve-bannon-jeffrey-epstein-spy-trump-1242599/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |access-date=November 12, 2021 |archive-date=October 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031115343/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/steve-bannon-jeffrey-epstein-spy-trump-1242599/ |url-status=live }}

Bannon was charged with misdemeanor domestic violence, battery, and dissuading a witness in early January 1996 after his then-wife, Mary Piccard, accused Bannon of domestic abuse. The Santa Monica Police Department crime report states that after Piccard called 911, an officer arrived at their home and observed red marks on Piccard's wrist and neck.{{Cite news |date=January 1, 1996 |title=Domestic Violence Crime Report |url=https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000156-c3f8-dd14-abfe-fbfbbe310001 |access-date=November 13, 2021 |publisher=Santa Monica Police Department |via=Politico |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108155504/https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000156-c3f8-dd14-abfe-fbfbbe310001 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Gold |first1=Hadas |last2=Bresnahan |first2=John |title=Trump campaign CEO once charged in domestic violence case |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/steve-bannon-domestic-violence-case-police-report-227432 |access-date=April 23, 2019 |website=Politico |date=August 25, 2016 |language=en |archive-date=March 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322130119/https://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/steve-bannon-domestic-violence-case-police-report-227432 |url-status=live }} The charges were later dropped when Piccard did not appear in court.{{Cite news |last1=Twohey |first1=Megan |last2=Eder |first2=Steve |last3=Smith |first3=Noah |date=August 25, 2016 |title=Donald Trump's Campaign Chief, Stephen Bannon, Faced Domestic Violence Charges in 1996 |newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/26/us/politics/stephen-bannon-trump-campaign.html |access-date=June 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831235459/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/26/us/politics/stephen-bannon-trump-campaign.html |archive-date=August 31, 2016 |issn=0362-4331 |oclc=1645522 |eissn=1553-8095}} In her divorce filing, Piccard stated her absence was due to threats made against her by Bannon and his lawyer: Bannon, she said, told her, "if I went to court, he and his attorney would make sure that I would be the one who was guilty." She said that Bannon's lawyer also threatened her, telling her that if Mr. Bannon went to jail, she "would have no money and no way to support the children". Bannon's lawyer denied pressuring Piccard not to testify.

{{Further|We Build the Wall}}

On August 20, 2020, a federal grand jury indictment was unsealed against Bannon and three others, charging them with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. Each charge has a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison upon conviction.{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/20/former-trump-aide-bannon-charged-with-swindling-donors-in-private-border-wall-effort-399215 |title=Former Trump aide Bannon charged with swindling donors in private border wall effort |website=Politico |date=August 20, 2020 |access-date=August 20, 2020 |first=Josh |last=Gerstein |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820141126/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/20/former-trump-aide-bannon-charged-with-swindling-donors-in-private-border-wall-effort-399215 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/20/nyregion/steve-bannon-indicted.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 20, 2020|title=Steve Bannon Is Charged With Fraud in 'We Build the Wall' Campaign|first1=Alan|last1=Feuer|first2=William K.|last2=Rashbaum|first3=Maggie|last3=Haberman|authorlink3=Maggie Haberman|issn=0362-4331|eissn=1553-8095|oclc=1645522|access-date=August 20, 2020|archive-date=August 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820144021/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/20/nyregion/steve-bannon-indicted.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first1=Matt|last1=Zapotosky|first2=Josh|last2=Dawsey|first3=Rosalind S.|last3=Helderman|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/stephen-bannon-arrested-charged/2020/08/20/6d46847c-e2ea-11ea-b69b-64f7b0477ed4_story.html|title=Steve Bannon charged with defrauding donors in private effort to raise money for Trump's border wall|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=August 20, 2020|access-date=August 17, 2021}} Federal prosecutors of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York allege that Bannon, United States Air Force veteran Brian Kolfage and the two other defendants used funds received from the We Build the Wall fundraising campaign, marketed to support the building of a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico, in a way which was "inconsistent" with how they were advertised for use to the public.{{cite news |title=Former Trump Campaign Boss Steve Bannon Indicted for Fraud in NY |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/national-international/former-trump-campaign-manager-steve-bannon-indicted-for-fraud-in-ny/2180744/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821121445/https://www.nbcboston.com/news/national-international/former-trump-campaign-manager-steve-bannon-indicted-for-fraud-in-ny/2180744/ |archive-date=August 21, 2020 |publisher=WBTS-CD |date=August 20, 2020|access-date=August 25, 2021}}{{cite news |title=Former Trump adviser Bannon charged with fraud by federal prosecutors |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-bannon-idUSKBN25G1J4 |publisher=Reuters |date=August 20, 2020 |language=en |access-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820160522/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-bannon-idUSKBN25G1J4 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|first=Russell|last=Berman|title=The United States Versus Steve Bannon|date=August 20, 2020|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/08/steve-bannon-fraud-trump/615523/|newspaper=The Atlantic|access-date=August 22, 2020|archive-date=August 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822160649/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/08/steve-bannon-fraud-trump/615523/|url-status=live}} According to the indictment, donations were collected through a GoFundMe campaign that was launched in December 2018.{{cite news |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/from-paul-manafort-to-steve-bannon-a-brief-history-of-maga-money-grubbing |title=From Paul Manafort to Steve Bannon, a Brief History of MAGA Money-Grubbing |magazine=The New Yorker |date=August 21, 2020 |access-date=August 24, 2020 |first=John |last=Cassidy |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020126/https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/from-paul-manafort-to-steve-bannon-a-brief-history-of-maga-money-grubbing |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/21/politics/kolfage-badolato-bannon-shea/index.html |title=The three people indicted along with Steve Bannon: Brian Kolfage, Andrew Badolato and Timothy Shea |publisher=CNN |date=August 21, 2020 |access-date=August 27, 2020 |first1=Casey |last1=Tolan |first2=Curt |last2=Devine |archive-date=August 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829204059/https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/21/politics/kolfage-badolato-bannon-shea/index.html |url-status=live }} Bannon promoted the project until the day before the indictment, saying "You've been the leader of this, assisting President Trump in building this wall in these tough areas" in his War Room: Pandemic podcast.{{cite news |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/08/24/steve-bannon-nonprofit-border-wall/ |title=In an investigation tied to private border wall, federal prosecutors have Steve Bannon's murky nonprofit in their sights |website=The Texas Tribune |date=August 24, 2020 |access-date=August 25, 2020 |first=Yeganeh |last=Torbati |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020131/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/08/24/steve-bannon-nonprofit-border-wall/ |url-status=live }}

Federal prosecutors allege that Bannon and the three other men conspired to use a non-profit group run by Bannon, and a shell company controlled by one of the other defendants, to make payments to themselves, despite promises to donors that their contributions would go to build a wall. Prosecutors also alleged that Bannon received more than $1 million in connection with the plan, some of which was paid to Kolfage in secret and some of which Bannon and two other defendants allegedly used for personal expenses ranging from paying off credit cards to personal travel.{{cite news |url=https://www.wired.com/story/steve-bannon-charged-border-wall-gofundme-gone-bad/ |title=Steve Bannon, a $25M Border Wall Campaign, and a GoFundMe Gone Bad |magazine=Wired |date=August 20, 2020 |issn=1059-1028 |eissn=1078-3148 |oclc=24479723 |access-date=August 28, 2020 |first=Brian |last=Barrett |archive-date=August 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821151832/https://www.wired.com/story/steve-bannon-charged-border-wall-gofundme-gone-bad/ |url-status=live }} Prosecutors stated that they plan to seize the assets of Bannon's non-profit Citizens of the American Republic, as well as other organizations "politically aligned with [Donald] Trump".{{cite news |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/federal-prosecutors-have-steve-bannons-murky-nonprofit-in-their-sights |title=Federal Prosecutors Have Steve Bannon's Murky Nonprofit in Their Sights |publisher=ProPublica |date=August 24, 2020 |access-date=August 25, 2020 |first=Yeganeh |last=Torbati |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020124/https://www.propublica.org/article/federal-prosecutors-have-steve-bannons-murky-nonprofit-in-their-sights |url-status=live }}

Bannon was arrested by U.S. postal inspectors on Long Island Sound, off the coast of Connecticut,{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2020/08/20/postal-service-police-bannon/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821000004/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2020/08/20/postal-service-police-bannon/ |archive-date=August 21, 2020 |department=National Security |newspaper=The Washington Post|date=August 20, 2020 |title=The surprising mission of the Postal Service police who arrested Stephen Bannon |first=Alex |last=Horton}} on board People's Republic of China expatriate Guo Wengui's luxury yacht. Later that day, Bannon pleaded not guilty to the charges.{{Cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/steve-bannon-was-arrested-by-us-postal-service-agents-2020-8|title=Steve Bannon was arrested by US Postal Service agents|first=Grace|last=Panetta|website=Business Insider|date=August 20, 2020|access-date=August 20, 2020}} Bannon was released pending trial on a $5 million bond, of which Bannon was required to put up $1.7 million. He was required to surrender his passport and his domestic travel was restricted.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/20/former-trump-advisor-steve-bannon-arrested-on-charges-of-defrauding-donors-in-fundraising-scheme.html|title=Former Trump advisor Steve Bannon pleads not guilty in alleged border wall fundraising scheme|first=Brian|last=Schwartz|date=August 20, 2020|publisher=CNBC|access-date=August 22, 2020|archive-date=August 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820134236/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/20/former-trump-advisor-steve-bannon-arrested-on-charges-of-defrauding-donors-in-fundraising-scheme.html|url-status=live}} Following the indictment, Donald Trump{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/24/us/politics/trump-bannon-we-build-the-wall.html |title=Social Media Offered Bannon's Group a Tool to Promote Ties to Trump and Raise Millions |newspaper=The New York Times |date=August 24, 2020 |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |access-date=August 27, 2020 |first=Eric |last=Lipton |archive-date=August 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827060559/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/24/us/politics/trump-bannon-we-build-the-wall.html |url-status=live }} and his son, Donald Trump Jr. distanced themselves from Bannon. Trump Jr. had originally been supportive of Bannon's fundraising efforts for the Mexico–United States border wall.{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/article/donald-trump-jr-builds-a-wall-between-himself-and-steve-bannon-zmvnrcwcg |title=Donald Trump Jr builds a wall between himself and Steve Bannon |newspaper=The Times |date=August 22, 2020 |access-date=August 24, 2020 |first=Henry |last=Zeffman |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020129/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/donald-trump-jr-builds-a-wall-between-himself-and-steve-bannon-zmvnrcwcg |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-jr-steve-bannon-video-crowdfunding-arrest-build-the-wall-a9680631.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-jr-steve-bannon-video-crowdfunding-arrest-build-the-wall-a9680631.html |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title='This is private enterprise at its finest': Video shows Trump Jr backing Bannon's crowdfunding campaign as father scrambles to distance himself |newspaper=The Independent |date=August 21, 2020 |access-date=August 24, 2020 |first=James |last=Crump}}{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-strategist-steve-bannon-indicted-part-crowdfunding-campaign/story?id=72494405 |title=Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon indicted for fraud as part of crowdfunding campaign to build border wall |publisher=ABC News |date=August 20, 2020 |access-date=August 26, 2020 |first1=Aaron |last1=Katersky |first2=Alexander |last2=Mallin |quote="Reacting to news of Bannon's arrest Thursday, President Trump said it was 'very sad news' and 'surprising', while seeking to distance himself from Bannon's alleged activities." |archive-date=August 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825192428/https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-strategist-steve-bannon-indicted-part-crowdfunding-campaign/story?id=72494405 |url-status=live }}

At a preliminary hearing on August 31, U.S. district judge Analisa Torres set a trial date for May 24, 2021. Prosecutors revealed that they had collected a large number of emails found on various devices and online storage accounts after search warrants were executed{{emdash}}some earlier in the year.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/31/nyregion/steve-bannon-build-the-wall-fraud.html|title=In Steve Bannon Case, Prosecutors Have 'Voluminous' Emails|first1=Benjamin|last1=Weiser|first2=William K.|last2=Rashbaum|date=August 31, 2020|issn=0362-4331|eissn=1553-8095|oclc=1645522|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=September 1, 2020|archive-date=September 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902021056/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/31/nyregion/steve-bannon-build-the-wall-fraud.html|url-status=live}}

In February 2025, Bannon pleaded guilty to one state felony count of a scheme to defraud in the first degree and was sentenced to a three-year conditional discharge, without any prison time or restitution.{{Cite web| last = Scannell| first = Kara| title = Steve Bannon pleads guilty to defrauding voters in private border wall scheme | work = CNN| access-date = 2025-02-11| date = 2025-02-11| url = https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/11/politics/steve-bannon-border-wall-guilty/index.html}}

File:2021-01-19 Trump pardon for TWENTY-EIGHT-link-1358426=master warrant 1 pardon 1.19.2021.pdf]]

Shortly before midnight on Tuesday, January 19, the final full day of Trump's presidency, Trump issued a series of pardons{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-pardons/2021/01/20/7653bd12-59a2-11eb-8bcf-3877871c819d_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=Trump grants clemency to 143 people in late-night pardon blast|language=en-US|url-status=live|author=Helderman, Rosalind S.; Dawsey, Josh; Reinhard, Beth|date=January 20, 2021|access-date=September 9, 2023|archive-date=January 20, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210120144537/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-pardons/2021/01/20/7653bd12-59a2-11eb-8bcf-3877871c819d_story.html}} to 144 individuals, including Bannon.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/19/donald-trump-pardons-steve-bannon-white-house/4209763001/|title=Donald Trump grants clemency to 144 people (not himself or family members) in final hours|author=Johnson, Kevin; Jackson, David; Wagner, Dennis|newspaper=USA Today|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=January 19, 2021|access-date=September 9, 2023|archive-date=January 20, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210120115013/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/19/donald-trump-pardons-steve-bannon-white-house/4209763001/}} The White House released the list of pardoned individuals at 12:50am on January 20, Trump's final day in office.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-pardons-former-chief-strategist-steve-bannon-11611120199|title=Trump Pardons Former Chief Strategist Steve Bannon|author=Ballhaus, Rebecca; Tau, Byron|website=The Wall Street Journal|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=January 20, 2021|access-date=September 9, 2023|archive-date=January 20, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210120141340/https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-pardons-former-chief-strategist-steve-bannon-11611120199}}

In May 2021, Judge Torres, following the precedent of criminal cases being dismissed following presidential pardons, dismissed the fraud case against Bannon. Torres said that because the pardon was valid, dismissal of the indictment was "the proper course".{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/steve-bannon-case-dismissed/2021/05/25/8f1e0422-93e7-11eb-a74e-1f4cf89fd948_story.html|author=Jacobs, Shayna|title=Steve Bannon's fraud case dismissed after months of haggling over Trump pardon|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=May 25, 2021|access-date=May 26, 2021|archive-date=May 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526041212/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/steve-bannon-case-dismissed/2021/05/25/8f1e0422-93e7-11eb-a74e-1f4cf89fd948_story.html}} In her ruling, Torres stated that despite Bannon not pleading guilty, "the issuance of a pardon may carry an imputation of guilt; acceptance a confession of it."{{cite news |last1=Stempel |first1=Jonathan |last2=Freifeld |first2=Karen |title=U.S. judge dismisses indictment against ex-Trump adviser Bannon, cites pardon |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-judge-dismisses-indictment-against-ex-trump-adviser-bannon-cites-pardon-2021-05-25/ |access-date=May 29, 2021 |publisher=Reuters |date=May 26, 2021 |archive-date=May 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527123455/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-judge-dismisses-indictment-against-ex-trump-adviser-bannon-cites-pardon-2021-05-25/ |url-status=live }} She further quoted: "If there be no guilt, there is no ground for forgiveness."

Federal pardons only cover federal offenses, so Trump's pardon of Bannon did not preclude state charges against him. By February 2021, the Manhattan district attorney had issued subpoenas to Wells Fargo Bank and GoFundMe, which had provided accounts for the venture.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/24/politics/bannon-investigation-gains-steam/index.html|title=Steve Bannon investigation gains steam as Manhattan prosecutors subpoena financial records|first=Kara|last=Scannell|publisher=CNN|date=February 24, 2021|access-date=February 25, 2021|archive-date=March 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302103736/https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/24/politics/bannon-investigation-gains-steam/index.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/pardon-control-manhattan-da-issues-subpoenas-aimed-at-steve-bannons-role-in-we-build-the-wall-scheme/|title=Pardon Control: Manhattan DA Issues Subpoenas Aimed at Steve Bannon's Role in 'We Build the Wall' Scheme|publisher=Law & Crime|author=Kalmbacher, Colin|date=February 24, 2021|access-date=May 26, 2021}} In August 2022, Bannon was indicted on New York state charges of money laundering, conspiracy and fraud related to the $25 million "We Build the Wall" scheme.{{Cite news |last1=Scannell |first1=Kara |last2=Mizelle |first2=Shawna |date=September 8, 2022 |title=Steve Bannon pleads not guilty to NY state charges of money laundering, conspiracy and fraud related to border wall effort |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/08/politics/steve-bannon-not-guilty-plea-surrender-border-wall-charges/index.html |access-date=September 8, 2022 |publisher=CNN|language=en}} Bannon said the charges were politically motivated, and—invoking a common right-wing conspiracy theory—linked somehow to financier George Soros.[https://www.newsweek.com/steve-bannon-fraud-indictment-trump-new-york-1740482 Steve Bannon Says 'They Will Have To Kill Me' In Response To New Indictment], Newsweek, Ewan Palmer, September 9, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022. Bannon said that he and Trump would not "stop fighting" and "they will have to kill me first".

He surrendered to authorities on September 8, 2022. The trial was originally expected to start May 27, 2024, however it was postponed to September 23, 2024 because the judge in that case, Juan Merchan, was also overseeing the Trump "hush-money" case and was unavailable at that time.{{cite news |last1=Scannell |first1=Kara |title=Trial date set for Steve Bannon's fundraising fraud case |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/25/politics/steve-bannon-trial-date/index.html |access-date=March 2, 2024 |date=May 25, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Palmer |first1=Ewan |title=Steve Bannon's Trial Postponed |url=https://www.newsweek.com/steve-bannon-faces-music-we-build-wall-fraud-case-1896079 |access-date=16 May 2024 |date=2 May 2024}} Due to an ongoing conflict, Bannon's case was reassigned to Judge April Newbauer who later rescheduled it for December 9, 2024.{{cite news |last1=Katersky |first1=Aaron |title=Steve Bannon to go on trial in December for alleged fraud in We Build the Wall fundraiser |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/steve-bannon-trial-december-alleged-fraud-build-wall/story?id=112205929 |access-date=23 July 2024 |website=ABC.com |date=23 July 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Collins |first1=Kaitlan |last2=del Valle |first2=Lauren |title=Steve Bannon's New York criminal fraud trial will no longer be overseen by judge who presided over Trump's hush money trial |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/25/politics/steve-bannon-new-york-criminal-fraud-trial-judge-trump/index.html |access-date=23 July 2024 |website=CNN |date=25 June 2024}} At Bannon's request, Newbauer again rescheduled it for February 25, 2025.{{Cite web |last=Golgowski |first=Nina |date=November 18, 2024 |title=Judge Agrees To Postpone Steve Bannon's Trial On Border Fraud Charges |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/steve-bannon-fraud-border-wall-trial-postponed_n_673b5466e4b0f7e185134bc8 |access-date=November 18, 2024 |website=HuffPost |language=en}} On February 11, 2025, Bannon "pleaded guilty to one state felony count of a scheme to defraud in the first degree and was sentenced to a three-year conditional discharge."{{Cite web |last=Scannell |first=Kara |date=February 11, 2025 |title=Steve Bannon pleads guilty to defrauding donors in private border wall scheme |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/11/politics/steve-bannon-border-wall-guilty/index.html}}{{Cite web |last=Kates |first=Graham |date=February 11, 2025 |publisher=CBS |title=Steve Bannon pleads guilty in "We Build the Wall" donor fraud case in New York |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/steve-bannon-guilty-plea-we-build-the-wall-donor-fraud-new-york/}}{{Cite web |last1=Reiss |first1=Adam |last2=Mangan |first2=Dan |date=February 11, 2025 |publisher=CNBC |title=Former Trump aide Steve Bannon pleads guilty in New York 'build the wall' case |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/11/steve-bannon-trump-guilty-build-the-wall.html}}{{Cite web |last1=Fannelli |first1=James |last2=Ramey |first2=Corinne |date=February 11, 2025 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |title=Steve Bannon Pleads Guilty in Border Wall Fraud Case |url=https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/steve-bannon-pleads-guilty-in-border-wall-fraud-case-f1164397}}

On September 23, 2021, the U.S. House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack subpoenaed Bannon, ordering him to appear on October 14. His lawyers gave the committee advance notice that he would not comply. After he did not appear, the House of Representatives voted to hold him in criminal contempt of Congress and to refer him to the Justice Department. This was initiated by the nine-member committee's unanimous vote on October 19,{{Cite news |date=October 20, 2021 |title=U.S. House Select Committee Votes to Hold Steve Bannon in Criminal Contempt of Congress – October 20, 2021 |url=https://dailynewsbrief.com/2021/10/20/u-s-house-select-committee-votes-to-hold-steve-bannon-in-criminal-contempt-of-congress/ |access-date=October 20, 2021 |website=Daily News Brief |language=en-US |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020165705/https://dailynewsbrief.com/2021/10/20/u-s-house-select-committee-votes-to-hold-steve-bannon-in-criminal-contempt-of-congress/ }} followed by the full House of Representatives which voted 229–202, with all 220 Democrats and 9 Republicans in favor of the resolution, on October 21.{{Cite news |last1=Foran |first1=Clare |last2=Cohen |first2=Zachary |last3=Nobles |first3=Ryan |date=October 21, 2021 |title=House votes to hold Steve Bannon in contempt for defying subpoena |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/21/politics/steve-bannon-house-contempt-vote/index.html |access-date=October 21, 2021 |publisher=CNN}} He was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 12, 2021, on two criminal contempt charges: one count of not providing documents, and one count of not testifying.{{Cite news |first1=Hannah |last1=Rabinowitz |first2=Jessica |last2=Schneider |first3=Evan |last3=Perez |first4=Paula |last4=Reid |date=November 12, 2021 |title=Federal grand jury indicts former Trump adviser Steve Bannon for contempt of Congress |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/12/politics/steve-bannon-indicted/index.html |publisher=CNN}}{{cite press release |publisher=U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia |date=November 12, 2021 |title=Stephen K. Bannon Indicted for Contempt of Congress |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/stephen-k-bannon-indicted-contempt-congress}} Three days later, Bannon surrendered to the FBI.{{Cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Kevin |last2=Jansen |first2=Bart |date=November 15, 2021 |title=Trump adviser Steve Bannon surrenders on contempt charges after defying subpoena in Jan. 6 probe |newspaper=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/11/15/trump-adviser-steve-bannon-contempt-charges/8622132002/ |access-date=November 15, 2021}} He was represented by criminal defense attorney David Schoen. He pleaded not guilty.{{Cite news |last1=Murray |first1=Sara |last2=Sneed |first2=Tierney |date=December 10, 2021 |title=In rebuff to Bannon, judge puts limits on public disclosure of evidence in his case |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/10/politics/bannon-judge-protective-order/index.html |access-date=December 16, 2021 |publisher=CNN}}

Bannon was released pending trial, without bail, but on conditions, including keeping authorities informed of his whereabouts, and not leaving the country.{{Cite news |last=Breuninger |first=Kevin |date=November 15, 2021 |title=Trump ally Steve Bannon released without bail after handing over passport in Jan. 6 contempt case |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/15/trump-ally-steve-bannon-surrenders-on-charges-stemming-from-jan-6.html |access-date=December 9, 2021 |publisher=CNBC|language=en}} An appeals court in April 2022 rejected his appeal regarding his failure to testify before the committee.Berthelsen, Christian. (April 6, 2022). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-04-06/bannon-loses-bid-to-claim-lawyer-said-he-could-ignore-subpoena Bannon Loses Bid to Claim Lawyer Said He Could Ignore Jan. 6 Subpoena]. Bloomberg.com. Retrieved April 6, 2022.

In the days leading up to his trial, Bannon offered to testify before the January 6 committee after all; U.S. district judge Carl J. Nichols, a Trump appointee, rejected Bannon's offer as a "last-ditch attempt to avoid accountability." Bannon sought to delay his trial to October, citing negative publicity from the concurrent televised committee hearings; the court denied the motions.{{cite news |last1=Hsu |first1=Spencer S. |date=July 11, 2018 |title=Judge rejects Bannon's bid to delay trial, executive-privilege claim |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/07/11/bannon-trial-hearing/}} Bannon incorrectly asserted Trump had claimed executive privilege over his testimony and documents,{{cite news |first1=Alexander |last1=Mallin |first2=Katherine |last2=Faulders |date=July 11, 2022 |title=Trump never invoked executive privilege over Bannon's Jan. 6 testimony, his attorney tells investigators |publisher=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/doj-reveals-investigators-interviewed-trumps-attorney-connection-bannon/story?id=86588798}} and said he would call prominent Democrats such as Nancy Pelosi to testify at his trial, asserting on his podcast, "we're going medieval on these people."{{cite news |first1=Devlin |last1=Barrett |first2=Spencer S. |last2=Hsu |date=July 16, 2022 |title=Facing trial, Bannon vows to go 'medieval,' but judge says meh |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/07/16/steve-bannon-trial-jan6/}} Nichols denied the defense motions, finding that Bannon was not entitled to raise an "advice of counsel" defense or an executive privilege defense.Josh Gerstein & Kyle Cheney, [https://www.politico.com/news/2022/07/21/bannon-testify-contempt-trial-00047165 Bannon won't testify as contempt trial heads to jury], Politico (July 21, 2022). After the judge's ruling, Bannon's attorney Schoen asked the court, "what's the point of going to trial if there are no defenses?", to which Nichols replied, "agreed", hinting that Bannon should seek a plea deal.

The trial began on July 18, 2022, with the jury being finalized the next day.{{cite news |last1=Fields |first1=Gary |last2=Khalil |first2=Ashraf |date=July 18, 2022 |title=Jury selection for ex-Trump adviser Bannon heads for 2nd day |website=Opelika-Auburn News |agency=Associated Press |location=Alabama |url=https://oanow.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/jury-selection-for-ex-trump-adviser-bannon-heads-for-2nd-day/article_8befa62a-4a49-5599-a34d-6ad0c6ab033e.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720134946/https://oanow.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/jury-selection-for-ex-trump-adviser-bannon-heads-for-2nd-day/article_8befa62a-4a49-5599-a34d-6ad0c6ab033e.html |archive-date=July 20, 2022 |issn=1044-7539 |oclc=11712983}}{{Cite news |last1=Polantz |first1=Katelyn |last2=Sneed |first2=Tierney |date=July 18, 2022 |title=Bannon trial set to begin over failure to comply with Jan. 6 committee subpoenas |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/18/politics/bannon-trial-begins-jan-6-subpoenas/index.html |access-date=July 18, 2022 |publisher=CNN}}{{Cite news |last1=Sangal |first1=Aditi |last2=Hayes |first2=Mike |last3=Lee |first3=JiMin |last4=Hammond |first4=Elise |last5=Chowdhury |first5=Maureen |last6=Wagner |first6=Meg |last7=Macaya |first7=Melissa |date=July 19, 2022 |title=Steve Bannon's trial now has a jury. Here's what we know about them. |url=https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/steve-bannon-trial-contempt-congress-07-19-22#h_3b54fea29f47bcba3a820b20183d6f43 |access-date=July 19, 2022 |publisher=CNN|language=en}} Bannon declined to call witnesses or testify in his own defense.

On July 22, 2022, the jury found Bannon guilty on both charges.{{Cite magazine |last1=Reimann |first1=Nicholas |date=July 22, 2022 |title=Breaking: Bannon Found Guilty Of Contempt Of Congress—Could Face Two Years In Prison |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/07/22/breaking-bannon-found-guilty-of-contempt-of-congress-could-face-2-years-in-prison/?sh=767fae0417b2 |access-date=July 23, 2022 |magazine=Forbes|language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Carrie |date=July 22, 2022 |title=Steve Bannon found guilty on both contempt of Congress charges |language=en |publisher=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/07/22/1112937587/steve-bannon-guilty-jan-6-committee-contempt-charges |access-date=July 22, 2022}} Bennie Thompson and Liz Cheney, the chairman and vice chairman, respectively, of the January 6 Committee, called Bannon's conviction "a victory for the rule of law and an important affirmation of the Select Committee's work".{{Cite press release |date=July 22, 2022 |title=Thompson & Cheney Statement on Bannon Conviction |url=https://january6th.house.gov/news/press-releases/thompson-cheney-statement-bannon-conviction |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722220239/https://january6th.house.gov/news/press-releases/thompson-cheney-statement-bannon-conviction |archive-date=July 22, 2022 |access-date=July 23, 2022 |publisher=Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol |language=en |quote=The conviction of Steve Bannon is a victory for the rule of law and an important affirmation of the Select Committee's work.}} The DOJ prosecutor said that Bannon "chose allegiance to Donald Trump over compliance with the law" and "No one is above the law"; prosecutors also said that Bannon had "thumbed his nose" at American democracy and law.

On October 21, 2022, Judge Nichols sentenced Bannon to serve four months in prison and pay a $6,500 fine.{{cite news |last1=Cheney |first1=Kyle |last2=Gerstein |first2=Josh |date=21 October 2022 |title=Bannon gets 4 months jail term for defying Jan. 6 committee subpoena |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/21/steve-bannon-sentencing-00062904 |website=Politico |access-date=30 April 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Whitehurst |first1=Lindsay |date=21 October 2022 |title=Bannon gets 4 months behind bars for defying 1/6 subpoena |url=https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-steve-bannon-congress-donald-trump-sentencing-36d412eba9e1609a030859852378ae3d |website=The Associated Press |access-date=30 April 2024}} Nichols stated in issuing the sentence, "Others must be deterred from committing similar crimes." The DOJ had requested the maximum penalty (six months in jail), plus a $200,000 fine.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/21/us/politics/steve-bannon-sentence-contempt-congress.html |title=Bannon Sentenced to 4 Months in Prison for Contempt of Congress |newspaper=The New York Times |first1=Glenn |last1=Thrush |first2=Alan |last2=Feuer |date=October 21, 2022 |access-date=November 2, 2022 }}

On November 4, 2022, Bannon appealed his conviction and sentence; he remained free pending appeal, with his sentence put on hold.{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/11/04/politics/steve-bannon-appeals-contempt-congress-conviction/index.html|title=Steve Bannon appeals contempt of Congress conviction|access-date=November 8, 2022|publisher=CNN|first=Katelyn|last=Polantz|date=November 4, 2022}} In January 2023, his lawyers argued that the DOJ had improperly searched his private communications.{{Cite news |last1=Farrell |first1=Greg |last2=Willmer |first2=Sabrina |date=January 4, 2023 |title=Bannon's Lawyers Urge Judge to Sanction His Prosecutors |language=en |website=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-04/steve-bannon-s-lawyers-urge-judge-to-sanction-his-prosecutors |access-date=April 16, 2023}} Due to the unexpected death of a government lawyer's son, Bannon's appeal hearing was delayed from October 12{{Cite news |last=Mathur-Ashton |first=Aneeta |date= |title=Steve Bannon gets court date in bid to avoid prison over his contempt of congress conviction |language=en |website=TheMessenger |url=https://themessenger.com/politics/steve-bannon-appeal-court-date-prison-jan-6-contempt-of-congress-conviction |access-date=September 21, 2023 |archive-date=August 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822223004/https://themessenger.com/politics/steve-bannon-appeal-court-date-prison-jan-6-contempt-of-congress-conviction |url-status=dead }} to November 9 at the request of the DOJ.{{cite news |last1=Leeman |first1=Zachary |title=Court Grants a One-Month Delay in Steve Bannon's Bid to Avoid Prison for Jan. 6 Contempt of Congress Conviction |url=https://themessenger.com/politics/steve-bannon-appeal-january-6-contempt |access-date=9 October 2023 |date=3 October 2023 |archive-date=October 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005192323/https://themessenger.com/politics/steve-bannon-appeal-january-6-contempt |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news |last=Schonfeld |first=Zach |date=2023-11-09 |title=Steve Bannon's bid to avoid prison heads to appeals court |url=https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4300142-steve-bannons-bid-to-avoid-prison-heads-to-appeals-court/ |access-date=2023-11-09 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}} Bannon did not attend the hearing; his attorney David Schoen did.{{Cite news |last=Goudsward |first=Andrew |date=2023-11-09 |title=Trump ally Bannon faces skeptical court in bid to overturn contempt conviction |language=en |website=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/trump-ally-bannon-ask-court-overturn-contempt-us-congress-conviction-2023-11-09/ |access-date=2023-11-28}} On May 10, 2024, the appellate court unanimously upheld the conviction and on May 14, the DOJ filed a motion to lift Bannon's stay of sentence and have him report to prison.{{Cite news |last=Weiner |first=Rachel |date=2024-05-10 |title=Steve Bannon's bid to undo Jan. 6 contempt conviction fails |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/05/10/bannon-jail-contempt-appeal-upheld/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}{{cite news |last1=Kosnar |first1=Michael |last2=Mangan |first2=Dan |last3=Concepcion |first3=Summer |title=Prosecutors ask judge to order Steve Bannon to report to prison |website=NBC News |date=May 15, 2024 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/prosecutors-ask-judge-order-steve-bannon-report-prison-rcna152213 |access-date=16 May 2024}}

File:SCOTUS Miscellaneous Order denying Steve Bannon's request to delay prison sentence.pdf

On June 6, 2024, Judge Carl Nichols granted the motion and ordered Bannon to report to prison by July 1 unless the full appeals court were to take the case and pause enforcement of the sentence.{{cite news |last1=Feuer |first1=Alan |last2=Kavi |first2=Aishvarya |title=Judge Orders Bannon to Surrender for Prison Term by July 1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/06/us/politics/steve-bannon-surrender.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=6 June 2024}} Because of the pending case against him in New York, he was not eligible for a minimum-security prison, and it was decided that he would instead go to Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury, a low-security prison in Connecticut.{{Cite news |last=Polantz |first=Katelyn |date=2024-06-17 |title=Steve Bannon won't be spending his prison term in a 'Club Fed' as he had hoped, sources say |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/17/politics/steve-bannon-danbury-prison-contempt-of-congress/index.html |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=CNN |language=en}} On June 26, House speaker Mike Johnson said that House Republicans would intercede on behalf of Bannon with the federal court considering his appeal, though they did not file any briefs doing so.{{Cite web |last=Delaney |first=Arthur |date=2024-06-26 |title=House Republicans Launch Effort To Keep Bannon Out Of Jail |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/steve-bannon-jail_n_667c327ee4b05521a7f043dc |access-date=2024-06-26 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}

On June 21, Bannon made an emergency application to the U.S. Supreme Court,{{Cite web |last=Whitehurst |first=Lindsay |date=2024-06-21 |title=Steve Bannon Asks Supreme Court To Delay His Prison Sentence |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ap-us-capitol-riot-contempt_n_667609d4e4b0602e9ceb2824 |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=HuffPost |language=en}} which denied it in a one-sentence order on June 28.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/28/us/politics/steve-bannon-supreme-court-appeal.html|title=Supreme Court Rejects Bannon's Appeal to Delay Prison Sentence|date=June 28, 2024|newspaper=The New York Times|first1=Alan|last1=Feuer|access-date=2024-06-29}} He reported to the low-level security Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury in Danbury, Connecticut on July 1, 2024, where he lived in a special veterans housing unit according to his federal prison consultant Sam Mangel.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/01/politics/steve-bannon-report-to-prison/index.html|title=Steve Bannon begins serving 4-month sentence in federal prison for defying congressional subpoena|first1=Sara|last1=Murray|first2=Katelyn|last2=Polantz|first3=Devan|last3=Cole|website=CNN|date=July 1, 2024|accessdate=July 1, 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2024/07/01/steve-bannon-imprisoned-house-jan-6-subpoena/74266035007/|title=Trump aide Steve Bannon reports to federal prison for defying House Jan. 6 subpoena|first1=Bart|last1=Jansen|first2=Karissa|last2=Waddick|newspaper=USA Today|date=July 1, 2024|accessdate=July 1, 2024}}{{cite news |date=July 1, 2024 |title=Trump ally Steve Bannon begins prison term for contempt |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/trump-ally-steve-bannon-report-prison-following-contempt-conviction-2024-07-01/ |last=Lynch |first=Sarah N. |access-date=July 1, 2024 |website=Reuters}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/17/politics/steve-bannon-danbury-prison-contempt-of-congress/index.html|title=Steve Bannon won't be spending his prison term in a 'Club Fed' as he had hoped, sources say|first1=Katelyn|last1= Polantz|website=CNN|date=June 17, 2024|accessdate=August 5, 2024}} He was released on October 29.{{Cite news |last=Peters |first=Jeremy W. |author-link=Jeremy W. Peters |date=2024-10-29 |title=Stephen Bannon Is Released From Prison |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/29/us/steve-bannon-prison-release.html |access-date=2024-10-29 |newspaper=The New York Times}} He is the second Trump era official to be jailed for contempt related to defying a subpoena from the January 6 Committee, after Peter Navarro. Bannon was released from Bureau of Prisons custody on October 29, 2024.{{cite web |url=https://www.bop.gov/mobile/find_inmate/byname.jsp#inmate_results |title=Find an inmate |access-date=2024-12-31 }}

During the November 5, 2020, edition of his webcast, Bannon called for the beheadings of Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious diseases expert, and FBI director Christopher Wray. Bannon said that if it were up to him, after beheading Fauci and Wray, "I'd put the heads on pikes" and display them outside the White House "as a warning to bureaucrats" who dared oppose Trump. By the end of the day, Facebook and YouTube had deleted the video from their platforms, and Twitter had permanently banned his account for glorifying violence. Mailchimp also disabled Bannon's email newsletter.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/05/tech/steve-bannon-twitter-permanent-suspension/index.html|title=Twitter permanently suspends Steve Bannon account after talk of beheading|author1=Devine, Curt |author2=O'Sullivan, Donie |author3=Scannell, Kara |access-date=June 11, 2022 |publisher=CNN|language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107074112/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/05/tech/steve-bannon-twitter-permanent-suspension/index.html |archive-date=November 7, 2020 }} The next day, Bannon was dropped by a lawyer who had been defending him against federal charges of fraud.{{Cite news|last1=Weiser|first1=Benjamin|last2=Schmidt|first2=Michael S.|last3=Rashbaum|first3=William K.|date=November 6, 2020|title=Steve Bannon Loses Lawyer After Suggesting Beheading of Fauci|language=en-US|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/06/nyregion/bannon-lawyer-beheading.html|access-date=November 6, 2020 |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 }}

On January 9, 2021, Rudy Giuliani appeared on War Room, accusing Democrats of stealing the recent presidential election and blaming them for the storming of the Capitol. Hours later, YouTube removed both the podcast channel and another one called "Trump at War – A Film by Stephen K. Bannon", citing a "violation of YouTube's Terms of Service".{{Cite news|last=Zitser|first=Joshua|date=January 9, 2021|title=YouTube bans Steve Bannon's podcast channel hours after Rudy Giuliani appeared on an episode and blamed the Capitol siege on Democrats|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/youtube-bans-steve-bannon-war-room-podcast-rudy-giuliani-comments-2021-1 |access-date=January 11, 2021|website=Business Insider}}{{Cite news|title=Google bans two Steve Bannon YouTube channels after Trump lawyer Giuliani claims stolen election |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/01/08/googles-youtube-hosts-video-of-trump-lawyer-giuliani-claiming-stolen-election-two-days-after-deadly-capitol-insurrection/|website=The Mercury News|date=January 8, 2021}}

{{Conservatism US|activists}}

{{Populism sidebar|expanded=true}}

Bannon is a Reaganite and has described himself as a populist.{{Cite news |date=November 21, 2018 |title=Steve Bannon: I want to drive a stake through the Brussels vampire |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/21/steve-bannon-i-want-to-drive-a-stake-through-the-brussels-vampire-populist-europe |access-date=May 14, 2022 |website=The Guardian |oclc=60623878|issn=0261-3077 |eissn=1756-3224 |language=en}}{{Cite news |title=With support from Steve Bannon, a medieval monastery could become a populist training ground |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/with-support-from-steve-bannon-a-medieval-monastery-could-become-a-populist-training-ground/2018/12/25/86dac38a-d3c4-11e8-a4db-184311d27129_story.html |access-date=May 14, 2022 |issn=0190-8286}}

Lebanese-American author Nassim Nicholas Taleb, neoreactionary blogger Curtis Yarvin and conservative intellectual Michael Anton have been pointed out as three of the main influences in Steve Bannon's political thinking. Political theorist and philosopher Edmund Burke has also been described as a major influence on Bannon's ideological outlook.{{cite news |last1=Guilford |first1=Gwynn |last2=Sonnad |first2=Nikhil |date=February 3, 2017 |title=Under the Banner of Bannon: What Bannon Really Wants |url=https://qz.com/898134/what-steve-bannon-really-wants/ |website=Quartz}} According to The Guardian in January 2018, Bannon's ideology is similar to that of Stephen Miller, Tucker Carlson, Benny Johnson, Raheem Kassam and Matthew Boyle, the latter two having been protégés of Bannon at Breitbart.{{Cite news |last1=Jacobs |first1=Ben |date=January 13, 2018 |title=After Bannon: the New Faces of the Hard Right |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/13/steve-bannon-new-faces-hard-right |access-date=January 13, 2018 |newspaper=The Guardian}}

Despite being arrested on federal charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering in connection with the We Build the Wall fundraising campaign in August 2020, in an interview, Bannon told journalist Michael Lewis in February 2018, "We got elected on Drain the Swamp, Lock Her Up, Build a Wall. This was pure anger. Anger and fear is what gets people to the polls." He added, "The Democrats don't matter. The real opposition is the media. And the way to deal with them is to flood the zone with shit."{{cite news |title=Has Anyone Seen the President? |first=Michael |last=Lewis |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2018-02-09/has-anyone-seen-the-president |date=February 9, 2018 |publisher=Bloomberg|access-date=September 25, 2018 }}

A self-described economic nationalist, Bannon advocates for reductions in immigration{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-immigration-bannon-idUSKBN15E2TG|title=Trump's go-to man Bannon takes hardline view on immigration|date=January 31, 2017|publisher=Reuters}} and restrictions on free trade with China and Mexico.{{cite news|author=Levin, Sam|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/17/steve-bannon-calls-far-right-losers-trump-warns-china-trade-war-american-prospect |title=Steve Bannon brands far right 'losers' and contradicts Trump in surprise interview|newspaper=The Guardian |oclc=60623878|issn=0261-3077 |eissn=1756-3224 |date=August 17, 2017}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.newsweek.com/trump-backtracks-steve-bannons-plan-ditch-nafta-590705|title=Trump decides against Steve Bannon's plan to rip up long-standing NAFTA free-trade deal|date=April 27, 2017|magazine=Newsweek}} He has referred to himself as a "proud Christian Zionist" in reference to his support of Israel. He has been described as a white nationalist but rejects the description.{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/steve-bannon-trump-hollywood-reporter-interview-231624|title=Steve Bannon hails Trump's 'economic nationalist' agenda|last=Nelson|first=Louis|date=November 18, 2016|website=Politico}} He generally believes in reducing the size of the federal bureaucracy, declaring at the Conservative Political Action Conference he favored the "deconstruction of the administrative state".{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/top-wh-strategist-vows-a-daily-fight-for-deconstruction-of-the-administrative-state/2017/02/23/03f6b8da-f9ea-11e6-bf01-d47f8cf9b643_story.html |title=Bannon vows a daily fight for 'deconstruction of the administrative state' |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 23, 2017 |access-date=September 5, 2017 |first1=Philip |last1=Rucker |first2=Robert |last2=Costa }}

Bannon was a strong opponent of the Paris climate agreement. During his time in the Trump administration, he successfully persuaded Donald Trump to withdraw from it.{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/31/trump-paris-climate-agreement-239008 |title=How Bannon and Pruitt boxed in Trump on climate pact |newspaper=Politico |location=Arlington VA |date=May 31, 2017 |first1=Andrew |last1=Restuccia |first2=Josh |last2=Dawsey |access-date=September 5, 2017 }}

Bannon favors reducing immigration, both legal and illegal immigration, to the U.S. and asserts that immigration threatens national sovereignty.{{cite news |last1=Stead Sellers |first1=Frances |last2=Fahrenthold |first2=David A. |title='Why let 'em in?' Understanding Bannon's worldview and the policies that follow. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/bannon-explained-his-worldview-well-before-it-became-official-us-policy/2017/01/31/2f4102ac-e7ca-11e6-80c2-30e57e57e05d_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201223134/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/bannon-explained-his-worldview-well-before-it-became-official-us-policy/2017/01/31/2f4102ac-e7ca-11e6-80c2-30e57e57e05d_story.html |archive-date=February 1, 2017}} Bannon has suggested that too many Silicon Valley chief executives are Asian or South Asian,{{cite news|website=The Verge|title=Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon suggests having too many Asian tech CEOs undermines 'civic society' |publisher=Vox Media |first1=Ashley |last1=Carman |archive-date=November 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117164322/https://www.theverge.com/2016/11/16/13653490/steve-bannon-trump-presidency-chief-strategist-breitbart-tech-visa |date=November 16, 2016|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/11/16/13653490/steve-bannon-trump-presidency-chief-strategist-breitbart-tech-visa}} and that this undermines "civic society". In a 2015 radio appearance, Bannon expressed opposition to resettling any refugees of the Syrian Civil War in the U.S. In a 2016 radio appearance, Bannon asserted that illegal immigration was "horrific" but that legal immigration was "the beating heart of this problem"; that levels of legal immigration to the U.S. were "scary"; and that legal immigrants had "kinda overwhelmed the country".{{Cite news |last1=Golshan |first1=Tara |title=Steve Bannon in 2016: legal immigration is the real "problem" |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/2/2/14472404/steve-bannon-legal-immigration-problem |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=June 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207103728/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/2/2/14472404/steve-bannon-legal-immigration-problem |archive-date=February 7, 2017 |date=February 2, 2017}} On his podcast, Bannon emphasized the need for "MAGA shock troops" to actively support Donald Trump's plans for mass deportations. He envisions these loyalists not only participating in street-level actions but also embedding within the Trump administration to ensure the comprehensive removal of undocumented immigrants.{{Cite news |last1=Edwards |first1=David |title=War Room host: MAGA 'shock troops on the streets' will enable Trump's mass deportations |url=https://www.rawstory.com/trump-mass-deportation-shock-troops/ |website=RawStory |publisher=RawStory |access-date=January 20, 2025 |date=November 10, 2024}}

Bannon was the chairman of We Build the Wall, an organization involved in the construction of the proposed expansion of Mexico–United States barrier.{{cite news|date=May 28, 2019|title=A private group chaired by Steve Bannon has started to build its own border wall after receiving millions from GoFundMe|website=Business Insider|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/private-group-steve-bannon-build-border-wall-millions-gofundme-2019-5?r=US&IR=T}}

Bannon often describes himself as an economic nationalist, criticizing crony capitalism, Austrian economics, and the objectivist capitalism of Ayn Rand.{{cite news |last=Caldwell |first=Christopher |date=February 25, 2017 |title=What Does Steve Bannon Want? |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/25/opinion/what-does-steve-bannon-want.html?mcubz=1 |access-date=September 16, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |oclc=1645522 |eissn=1553-8095}}{{cite web |last=Sunde |first=Joseph |date=November 17, 2016 |title=How Donald Trump's chief strategist thinks about capitalism and Christianity |url=http://blog.acton.org/archives/90139-how-donald-trumps-chief-strategist-thinks-about-capitalism-and-christianity.html |access-date=September 16, 2017 |website=Acton Institute PowerBlog}}{{cite web |last=Hains |first=Tim |date=February 1, 2017 |title=Steve Bannon in 2011: Planning A Revolt Against "Corrupt" And "Compromised Political Class" | Video |url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2017/02/01/steve_bannon_in_2011_the_tea_party_isnt_about_racism_it_is_about_stopping_crony_capitalism.html |access-date=September 16, 2017 |website=RealClearPolitics}} He also generally considers himself a free-market capitalist,{{Cite news |date=October 21, 2017 |title=This is what Steve Bannon told the California Republican Party convention |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-steve-bannon-california-republicans-transcript-20171021-htmlstory.html |access-date=October 2, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times}} however in May 2025 Steve Bannon described his team as being Neo-Brandeisians and advocated in favor of Lina Khan's administration of the [[Federal Trade Commission|FTC

]].{{cite web |title=We are neo-Brandeisians like Lina Khan |url=https://www.ft.com/video/7c0c82f4-a896-4ad6-896d-f419e7003e53 |website=ft.com |publisher=Financial Times |access-date=17 May 2025}} Bannon favors raising federal income taxes to 44 percent for those earning incomes over $5 million a year as a way to pay for middle class tax cuts.{{cite news |date=July 26, 2017 |title=Bannon Calls for 44% Tax on Incomes Above $5 Million |website=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-26/bannon-is-said-to-call-for-44-tax-on-incomes-above-5-million}} He also supports significantly increasing spending on infrastructure, describing himself as "the guy pushing a trillion-dollar infrastructure plan".

In 2014, during a conference at the Vatican, Bannon criticized Wall Street for its role in the 2008 financial crisis. He has also criticized bail outs for big banks and is angered by the fact that Wall Street banks have not been held accountable for the financial crisis, which he says fueled populist fury and groups such as the Tea Party.{{Cite news|last=Cox|first=Jeff|date=November 16, 2016|title=Steve Bannon could be Wall Street's worst enemy|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/11/16/steve-bannon-could-be-wall-street-worst-enemy.html|access-date=November 28, 2021|publisher=CNBC}}

Bannon has praised Democratic politicians Ro Khanna, Sherrod Brown, and John Fetterman for their economically populist views, particularly regarding corporate offshoring. Khanna has in turn agreed with Bannon on several occasions, praising Bannon's support for increasing taxes on corporations and opposition to "unfettered globalization and automation".{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Shira|title=MAGA architect Steve Bannon can't stop praising this Bay Area congressman|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/steve-bannon-ro-khanna-20217342.php|work=San Francisco Chronicle|date=12 March 2025}}

Amid ongoing national debates on gun violence and gun control, Bannon has been vocal in advocating for broader access to firearms, emphasizing the importance of the Second Amendment. He has been vocal in warning Trump against any shifts towards gun control, emphasizing the potential for intense backlash from the president's base. A notable instance of this was his reaction to the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, where Bannon insisted that any move by Trump towards gun control would be the "end of everything," suggesting that it would be received even more negatively than an immigration amnesty bill by Trump's political base.{{Cite news|last=Borchers|first=Callum |date=October 3, 2017|title=Bannon warns: "end of everything" if Trump supports gun controls|url=https://www.axios.com/2017/12/15/bannon-warns-end-of-everything-if-trump-supports-gun-controls-1513305926|access-date=December 25, 2023|publisher=AXIOS}}{{Cite news|last=Swan|first=Jonathan |date=October 4, 2017|title=Bannon's warning to Trump on gun control: Don't even think about it|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/10/04/bannons-warning-to-trump-on-gun-control-dont-even-think-about-it/|access-date=December 25, 2023|newspaper=The Washington Post}} Expanding on his pro-gun stance, Bannon sparked controversy by advocating for the arming and training of children in the use of firearms. Speaking at Turning Point USA's America Fest in December 2023, he proposed that gun classes should be integrated into school curriculums as a means for children to defend themselves against bullies.{{Cite news|last=Kika|first=Thomas |date=Dec 19, 2019|title=Steve Bannon Wants Kids to Use Guns to Defend Themselves From Bullies|url=https://www.newsweek.com/steve-bannon-wants-kids-use-guns-defend-themselves-bullies-1853928|access-date=December 25, 2023|publisher=Newsweek}}{{Cite news|last=David|first=Edwards |date=Dec 19, 2019|title=Steve Bannon calls for arming kids with guns to stop school bullying|url=https://www.rawstory.com/steve-bannon-school-guns/|access-date=December 25, 2023|publisher=RawStory}}

He is generally skeptical of military intervention abroad, opposing proposals for the expansion of U.S. involvement in the War in Afghanistan,{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/03/mcmaster-winning-west-wing-fight-trump-241309|website=Politico|title=Kelly gives McMaster cover in West Wing battles|date=August 3, 2017}} the Syrian Civil War,{{cite news|website=Bloomberg|title=Trump Said No to Troops in Syria. His Aides Aren't So Sure.|date=April 13, 2017|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-04-13/trump-said-no-to-troops-in-syria-his-aides-aren-t-so-sure}} and the crisis in Venezuela.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/17/us/politics/steve-bannon-nationalism-trump.html|title=Bannon's Dovish Side Emerges as He Contradicts Trump on North Korea|first=Mark|last=Landler|date=August 17, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |newspaper=The New York Times}}

In Afghanistan, he supported a proposal by Erik Prince for the deployment of private military contractors instead of the U.S. military.{{cite magazine|magazine=The Atlantic|title=Erik Prince's Plan to Privatize the War in Afghanistan|date=August 18, 2017|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/08/afghanistan-camp-david/537324/}} He believes "there is no military solution" to the 2017 North Korea crisis.

Bannon has described U.S. allies in Europe, the Persian Gulf, the South China Sea, the Strait of Malacca, as well as South Korea and Japan, as having become "protectorates of the United States" that do not "make an effort to defend [themselves]", and believes NATO members should pay a minimum of 2% of GDP on defense.{{cite news|title=This is what Steve Bannon told the California Republican Party convention|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=October 21, 2017|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-steve-bannon-california-republicans-transcript-20171021-htmlstory.html}}

Bannon opposes upgrading the U.S. nuclear arsenal.{{cite news |last1=Rose |first1=Charlie |last2=Bannon |first2=Steve |title=The Bannon interview: highlights and excerpts |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bannon-interview-highlights-and-excerpts/ |department=60 Minutes Overtime |website=CBS News |date=September 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911222719/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bannon-interview-highlights-and-excerpts/ |archive-date=September 11, 2017}}{{cite magazine|magazine=New York Intelligencer|title=Bannon: Trump Sucks Up to Putin So He Can Help the Inner Cities |last=Chait |first=Jonathan |date=September 11, 2017 |department=Daily Intelligencer |issn=0028-7369 |url=https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/09/bannon-trump-sucks-up-to-putin-so-he-can-help-inner-cities.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115200427/https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/09/bannon-trump-sucks-up-to-putin-so-he-can-help-inner-cities.html |archive-date=November 15, 2017}} Bannon strongly favors U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal,{{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Examiner|url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-considers-ending-iran-deal-ahead-of-key-deadline/article/2634268|date=September 18, 2017|title=Trump considers ending Iran deal ahead of key deadline}} and was supportive of the approach taken by Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman during the 2017 Qatar diplomatic crisis.{{cite news|title=Bannon Backs Isolation of Qatar, Comparing Threat to North Korea|date=October 23, 2017|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-23/bannon-backs-isolation-of-qatar-comparing-threat-to-north-korea|website=Bloomberg}}

During his tenure as White House chief strategist, Bannon opposed the 2017 Shayrat missile strike, but lost the internal debate on the matter to Kushner.{{cite magazine |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2017/04/trumps-syria-strike-is-sign-of-bannons-waning-influence.html?mid=twitter-share-di |title=Trump's Syria Strike Is Latest Sign of Steve Bannon's Waning Influence |date=April 7, 2017 |magazine=New York magazine |department=Intelligencer |first=Gabriel |last=Sherman |access-date=July 6, 2020 }} He also expressed skepticism about the 2020 assassination of Qasem Soleimani, questioning whether it was "necessary to kill this guy and to kill him now and to exacerbate the military issues", and warned that an escalation with Iran could undermine Trump's support with "working-class, middle-class people, particularly people whose sons and daughters actually fight in these wars".{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/07/business/media/tucker-carlson-iran-trump-media.html |title=Tucker Carlson Dissents as Right-Wing Media Weighs Trump's Iran Strike |date=January 7, 2020 |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |newspaper=The New York Times |first=Michael M. |last=Grynbaum |access-date=July 6, 2020 }}

He has referred to himself as a "proud Christian Zionist" in reference to his support of Israel.{{cite news |last=Sales |first=Ben |date=November 13, 2017 |title=Stephen Bannon: 'I'm proud to be a Christian Zionist' |agency=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |url=https://www.jta.org/2017/11/13/news-opinion/united-states/stephen-bannon-says-im-proud-to-be-a-christian-zionist |access-date=September 18, 2018}}{{cite news |last=Kestenbaum |first=Sam |date=November 15, 2016 |title=Some of Steve Bannon's Friends Are Jewish – and They Love His Zionism |website=Forward |url=https://forward.com/news/354384/some-jews-decry-breitbart-editor-as-anti-semite-others-praise-him-as-proud/ |access-date=September 18, 2018}} Bannon reportedly spoke often with Trump donor Sheldon Adelson, and was alarmed at a push for a renewed Middle East peace process.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/05/world/middleeast/palestine-israel-trump-abbas-adelson.html |title=Mixed Signals From Trump Worry Pro-Israel Hard-Liners |first1=Mark |last1=Landler |first2=Maggie |last2=Haberman |authorlink2=Maggie Haberman |date=May 5, 2017 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |access-date=September 5, 2017 }} He has described Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas as a "terrorist".{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/bannon-boycotted-trumps-meeting-with-terrorist-abbas-report/|title=Bannon boycotted Trump meet with 'terrorist' Abbas – report|last=Pileggi|first=Tamar|date=August 21, 2017|newspaper=The Times of Israel}} He has advocated giving the land in the West Bank to Jordan and in Gaza to Egypt.{{Cite news |url=http://www.newsweek.com/fire-and-fury-bannon-wanted-kill-palestinian-statehood-give-land-egypt-and-773909 |title='Fire and Fury': Steve Bannon Wanted to Kill Palestinian Statehood, Give Land to Egypt and Jordan |first=Callum |last=Paton |date=January 8, 2018 |website=Newsweek|access-date=July 28, 2018 }}

Bannon believes the U.S. is not merely in a Cold War but already in a "hot war" with China, especially in the domains of information and economics. Bannon expressed concerns about China's growing influence in Asia, viewing the nation as expansionist and anticipating a global culture clash.{{cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/ultra-hawk-steve-bannon-forecasts-beijings-hegemony-if-democracies-do-not-stand |last=Gosh | first= Nirmal |title=Ultra hawk Steve Bannon forecasts Beijing's hegemony if democracies do not stand up |website=straitstimes.com |date=Jun 4, 2020 |access-date=Sep 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313140819/https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/ultra-hawk-steve-bannon-forecasts-beijings-hegemony-if-democracies-do-not-stand |archive-date=March 13, 2023}} He holds the view that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) must be confronted and suggests that the ongoing informational and economic confrontations will escalate into a "kinetic war". Bannon believes a military confrontation between the US and China in the South China Sea will occur within the next decade. He highlighted China's construction of artificial islands, equating them to stationary aircraft carriers with missiles, as a primary concern.{{cite news|url=https://thediplomat.com/2017/02/steve-bannon-and-prospects-of-a-us-china-war-in-the-south-china-sea/ |last=Panda | first=Ankit |title=Steve Bannon and Prospects of a US-China War in the South China Sea |website=thediplomat.com |date=Feb 2, 2017 |access-date=Sep 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118093348/https://thediplomat.com/2017/02/steve-bannon-and-prospects-of-a-us-china-war-in-the-south-china-sea/ |archive-date=January 18, 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/02/steve-bannon-donald-trump-war-south-china-sea-no-doubt |last=Haas | first= Benjamin |title=Steve Bannon: 'We're going to war in the South China Sea ... no doubt' |newspaper=The Guardian |date=Feb 1, 2017 |access-date=Sep 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428205055/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/02/steve-bannon-donald-trump-war-south-china-sea-no-doubt |archive-date=April 28, 2023}}

According to Chaos Under Heaven, a book by Josh Rogin, Bannon was the leader of a group of officials that wanted Trump to "speed the downfall" of the CCP and that "believed in economic nationalism, the return of manufacturing from abroad, and the protection of domestic industries, even at the expense of free trade".{{Rp|page=27–28}} The book wrote that Bannon "believed the only way to save our country and the free world is to bring down the CCP as quickly as possible". Regarding China, Bannon said "My belief is pretty straightforward, that the CCP is exactly like Mussolini, Hitler and Tojo. These are gangsters, they are criminals. They think like criminals, they act like criminals and they need to be treated like criminals". Bannon frequently used the phrase "CCP delende est", paraphrasing Cato the Elder, who said "Carthago delenda est".{{Cite book |last1=Rogin |first1=Josh |author-link=Josh Rogin |title=Chaos Under Heaven: Trump, Xi, and the Battle for the Twenty-First Century |publisher=Mariner Books |year=2021 |isbn=9780358393245}}{{Rp|page=53}} During his tenure in the White House, Bannon allied with trade advisor Peter Navarro, who advocated for a hawkish stance against China. Bannon had read Navarro’s books about China and used his influence on Trump to advance Navarro’s views.{{Cite news |last1=Kranish |first1=Michael |last2=Stein |first2=Jeff |last3=Svitek |first3=Patrick |last4=Tucker |first4=Brianna |last5=Vazquez |first5=Maegan |last6=Morse |first6=Clara Ence |last7=Zakrzewski |first7=Cat |last8=Schaffer |first8=Aaron |last9=Melgar |first9=Luis |date=2025-04-26 |title=How Peter Navarro went from Democrat to inmate to Trump's tariff guru |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/04/26/peter-navarro-tariffs-trump-china/ |access-date=2025-04-26 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}

Although "those who met him say" Bannon initially favored the British National Party (BNP) and the English Defence League (EDL) in the United Kingdom, he later backed the UK Independence Party (UKIP).{{cite news|newspaper=Financial Times |id={{ProQuest|1953305587}} |last=Payne |first=Sebastian. |issn=0307-1766 |url=https://www.ft.com/content/307ce1b0-9d21-11e7-8cd4-932067fbf946?mhq5j=e5|date=September 19, 2017|title=Breitbart's culture wars could yet come to Britain}}{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/11/13/trump-s-man-stephen-bannon-flirts-with-a-le-pen|title=Steve Bannon's Dream: A Worldwide Ultra-Right|first1=Asawin|last1=Suebsaeng |first2=Christopher|last2=Dickey|date=November 13, 2016|website=The Daily Beast |publisher=InterActiveCorp |access-date=September 11, 2017}}

Bannon urged Boris Johnson, who Bannon said in July 2018 that he had known "over the last year" and was "very impressed" with, to challenge Prime Minister Theresa May.{{cite news|publisher=Reuters|title=Steve Bannon says: now is the moment for Boris Johnson to challenge UK PM May|date=July 14, 2018|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu-johnson/steve-bannon-says-now-is-the-moment-for-boris-johnson-to-challenge-uk-pm-may-idUSKBN1K40U9}}{{cite news|newspaper=Daily Express|title=This is Boris' defining moment to offer alternative to May's Brexit, ex-Trump advisor says|date=July 15, 2018|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/989115/Brexit-news-latest-Boris-Johnson-Steven-Bannon-LBC-Nigel-Farage-May-leadership-contest}} According to a BuzzFeed News report, Bannon was in private contact with Johnson during his visit to Britain that month, and the two men were previously in text communication during their respective tenures as White House chief strategist and British foreign secretary.{{Cite news|website=BuzzFeed News|title=Boris Johnson Has Been Privately Talking To Steve Bannon As They Plot Their Next Moves|date=July 25, 2018|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/lesterfeder/boris-johnson-steve-bannon|access-date=July 25, 2018|first1=J. Lester|last1=Feder|first2=Mark|last2=Di Stefano|first3=Alex|last3=Spencer}}

File:Eötvös József Lecture - Steve Bannon.jpg in May 2018]]

Bannon has defended Trump's ties to and praise for Russian president Vladimir Putin.{{cite news|last=Thompson|first=Isobel|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/07/sinister-history-behind-the-rights-putin-mania-steve-bannon-china|title=The Sinister History Behind the Right's Putin-Mania|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=July 20, 2018|access-date=May 24, 2019}} He expressed a belief that traditionalists see Russia as an ally. Bannon said they "believe that at least Putin is standing up for traditional institutions, and he's trying to do it in a form of nationalism—and I think that people, particularly in certain countries, want to see the sovereignty for their country. They want to see nationalism for their country" rather than a "pan-European Union". According to the book War for Eternity, Bannon met notorious Russian ideologue Aleksandr Dugin in Rome in 2018 to advocate closer relations between the United States and Russia, as well as Traditionalist philosophy.{{Cite Q|Q107266101 |last=Teitelbaum|first=Benjamin R.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QdHADwAAQBAJ&q=war+for+eternity|title=War for Eternity: The Return of Traditionalism and the Rise of the Populist Right|year=2020a|publisher=Penguin Books Limited|isbn=9780241431078|language=en}}{{sfn|Teitelbaum|2020a|pp=1-2}} Bannon supports closer ties to Russia to ally them against China.{{Rp|page=63}}

In 2018, Bannon announced plans to launch a new political operation beginning with an attempt to unite populist parties across Europe before the 2019 European Parliament election. With the project to be based in Brussels, he indicated he would spend 50 percent of his time in Europe from the following November working at locations throughout the continent.{{cite news|last=Hines|first=Nico|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/inside-bannons-plan-to-hijack-europe-for-the-far-right |title=Inside Bannon's Plan to Hijack Europe for the Far-Right|website=The Daily Beast|date=July 20, 2018|access-date=June 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721203305/https://www.thedailybeast.com/inside-bannons-plan-to-hijack-europe-for-the-far-right |archive-date=July 21, 2018 |publisher=IAC/InterActiveCorp |quote=Bannon plans to spend 50 percent of his time in Europe—mostly in the field rather than the Brussels office—once the midterm elections in the U.S. are over in November.}} Later that year, Bannon formed a foundation called The Movement to connect far-right groups throughout Europe.{{cite news |url=https://www.dw.com/en/italys-matteo-salvini-links-with-bannons-far-right-movement-ahead-of-eu-vote/a-45417657 |title=Italy's Matteo Salvini links with Bannon's far-right 'Movement' ahead of EU vote|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=September 9, 2018 |access-date=September 9, 2018}}

Bannon is supportive of European right-wing populist national conservative movements such as the Hungarian Fidesz, the French National Front (now National Rally), the Spanish Vox, the Dutch Party for Freedom, Alternative for Germany, the Italian Northern League, the Freedom Party of Austria, the Sweden Democrats, the Danish People's Party, the Flemish Vlaams Belang and the New Flemish Alliance, the Polish Law and Justice, and the Swiss People's Party.{{cite news|title='Intrigued' Steve Bannon heads to Rome for Italian vote|date=March 1, 2018|website=Politico|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/intrigued-steve-bannon-heads-to-rome-for-italian-vote/|first=Paul|last=Dallison|access-date=August 17, 2021}}{{cite news |url=https://www.thelocal.ch/20180307/trump-before-there-was-trump-steve-bannon-praises-swiss-right-wing-leader-christoph-blocher |title='Trump before there was a Trump': Steve Bannon praises Swiss right-wing leader |date=March 7, 2018 |access-date=March 7, 2018 |website=The Local }}{{cite news|website=Wiadomości|title=Steve Bannon chce zjednoczyć europejską skrajną prawicę. Ale Europejczycy się do tego nie palą|date=July 23, 2018|url=https://wiadomosci.wp.pl/steve-bannon-chce-zjednoczyc-europejska-skrajna-prawice-ale-europejczycy-sie-do-tego-nie-pala-6276501731379329a|access-date=July 28, 2018|language=pl|first=Oskar|last=Górzyński}}

In 2007, Bannon proposed and developed a script for a documentary titled Destroying the Great Satan: The Rise of Islamic Fascism in America. The film's plot was that there was an effort by Muslims to take over America.{{Cite news |last=Gold |first=Matea |date=February 3, 2017 |title=Bannon film outline warned U.S. could turn into 'Islamic States of America' |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/bannon-film-outline-warned-us-could-turn-into-islamic-states-of-america/2017/02/03/f73832f4-e8be-11e6-b82f-687d6e6a3e7c_story.html |access-date=February 28, 2023 |issn=0190-8286}}{{Cite news |title=Steve Bannon film outline warned U.S. could turn into 'Islamic States of America' |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-steve-bannon-great-satan-film-20170203-story.html |access-date=February 28, 2023 |website=Chicago Tribune|date=February 3, 2017 }}

In 2010, Bannon said "Islam is not a religion of peace. Islam is a religion of submission". He also criticized George W. Bush for calling Islam a religion of peace.{{Cite news |last=Kaczynski |first=Andrew |date=January 31, 2017 |title=Steve Bannon in 2010: 'Islam is not a religion of peace. Islam is a religion of submission' |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/01/31/politics/kfile-bannon-on-islam/index.html |access-date=October 25, 2022 |language=en}} Bannon has said that Islam today is "something much darker" than Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. He has also stated, "If you're Sharia-compliant ... we don't want you here," and has accused U.S. newspapers of being "Sharia-compliant". He has also stated, "The elites in Europe ... are allowing an Islamic invasion to take place."{{cite web|url=https://bridge.georgetown.edu/research/factsheet-steve-bannon/|title=Factsheet: Steve Bannon|website=Bridge Initiative|date=September 16, 2016}} and that the war with Islamic fascism is "metastasizing far quicker than governments can handle it."{{Cite news |last=Shane |first=Scott |date=2017-02-01 |title=Stephen Bannon in 2014: We Are at War With Radical Islam |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/02/01/us/stephen-bannon-war-with-radical-islam.html,%20https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/02/01/us/stephen-bannon-war-with-radical-islam.html |access-date=2024-05-31 |newspaper=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

In his talk delivered to a small conference in the Vatican during 2014, Bannon said: "If you look back at the long history of the Judeo-Christian West struggle against Islam, I believe that our forefathers kept their stance, and I think they did the right thing. I think they kept it out of the world, whether it was at Vienna, or Tours, or other places...it bequeathed to us the great institution that is the church of the West".{{cite news |last1=Shane |first1=Scott |title=Stephen Bannon in 2014: We Are at War With Radical Islam |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/02/01/us/stephen-bannon-war-with-radical-islam.html |access-date=April 15, 2019 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |date=February 1, 2017}} He is reputed to believe Putin's Russia and Trump's America are Christian allies against the Islamic State and "radical Islamic terrorism".{{cite news |title=The Trump team is dogmatic on Islam, but Russia is more pragmatic |url=https://www.economist.com/erasmus/2017/02/23/the-trump-team-is-dogmatic-on-islam-but-russia-is-more-pragmatic |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613 |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806200136/https://www.economist.com/erasmus/2017/02/23/the-trump-team-is-dogmatic-on-islam-but-russia-is-more-pragmatic |author=Erasmus |date=February 23, 2017}}{{cite news |title=It Started With a Call |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2017/01/30/the-new-bromance-a56982 |newspaper=The Moscow Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902114714/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2017/01/30/the-new-bromance-a56982 |archive-date=September 2, 2019 |last=Frolov |first=Vladimir |date=January 30, 2017}}{{cite news |last=Dreyfuss |first=Bob|url=https://www.thenation.com/article/is-steve-bannon-trumps-link-to-putin-and-the-european-far-right/|title=Is Steve Bannon Trump's Link to Putin and the European Far Right?|website=The Nation|date=March 19, 2018|access-date=May 24, 2019|archive-date=February 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215020155/https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/is-steve-bannon-trumps-link-to-putin-and-the-european-far-right/}} During Bannon's time in the Trump administration Bannon and Stephen Miller helped orchestrate Executive Order 13769 which banned entrance into United States from seven majority Muslim countries.{{cite news |last1=Perez |first1=Evan |last2=Brown |first2=Pamela |last3=Liptak |first3=Kevin |title=Inside the confusion of the Trump executive order and travel ban |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/28/politics/donald-trump-travel-ban/ |website=CNN|date=January 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315230802/http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/28/politics/donald-trump-travel-ban/ |archive-date=March 15, 2017}}{{Cite news |title=WATCH: How Steve Bannon Engineered President Trump's Travel Ban |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/watch-how-steve-bannon-engineered-president-trumps-travel-ban/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=Frontline |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Beauchamp |first=Zack |date=January 29, 2017 |title=Steve Bannon, the Trump adviser who helped craft the "Muslim ban", explained |url=https://www.vox.com/world/2017/1/29/14431332/steve-bannon-muslim-refugee-ban-explained |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=Vox|language=en}} Bannon has been linked to the counter-jihad movement.{{cite journal |title=Donald Trump, the anti-Muslim far right and the new conservative revolution|first=Ed|last=Perwee|year=2020|journal=Ethnic and Racial Studies|volume=43 |issue=16 |pages=211–230|doi=10.1080/01419870.2020.1749688|s2cid=218843237 |doi-access=free}}{{cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/world/2017/2/13/14559822/trump-islam-muslims-islamophobia-sharia|title=Trump's counter-jihad|date=February 13, 2017|website=Vox|last=Beauchamp|first=Zack}}{{cite book|url=https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/files/192414854/Aked_Jones_Miller_Counterjihad_report_2019.pdf|last1=Aked|first1=H.|last2=Jones|first2=M.|last3=Miller|first3=D.|year=2019|title=Islamophobia in Europe: How governments are enabling the far-right 'counter-jihad' movement|series=Public Interest Investigations|publisher=University of Bristol|page=16|isbn=9780957027497|hdl=1983/cd525157-683a-493b-b27f-9a5ffbca312c|hdl-access=free}}

Bannon sees transhumanism as a dangerous and radical religion of "the technocratic elite". He accuses tech entrepreneurs of using "transhumanistic science" to control humanity and eradicate religion through advanced gene editing, robotics, and forced microscopic implants. He has accused transhumanists of wanting eternal life at the expense of disregarding people's religious beliefs. Bannon's recent preoccupation with transhumanism aligns with his anti-vaccine rhetoric, and he has adopted similar positions as Alex Jones on this topic.{{cite web |last1=Horowitz |first1=Justin |title=Steve Bannon's latest crackpot theory: Globalists want to eradicate religion via biotechnology |url=https://www.mediamatters.org/steve-bannon/steve-bannons-latest-crackpot-theory-globalists-want-eradicate-religion-biotechnology |website=Media Matters for America |access-date=7 May 2023 |date=5 March 2021}}{{cite web |title=Steve Bannon: "People should have read Mein Kampf – what, in the '20s – and taken it to heart" |url=https://www.mediamatters.org/steve-bannon/steve-bannon-people-should-have-read-mein-kampf-what-20s-and-taken-it-heart |website=Media Matters for America |access-date=7 May 2023 |date=17 April 2023}} In discussions with his frequent podcast contributor Joe Allen, he also promotes viewpoints against AI and other new technologies inspired by "The Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski.{{cite web|url=https://warroom.org/the-unabomber-ted-kaczynski-pulls-the-plug/|title="The Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski Pulls the Plug |website=warroom.org |first=Joe |last=Allen |date=June 12, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612142056/https://warroom.org/the-unabomber-ted-kaczynski-pulls-the-plug/ |archive-date=June 12, 2023 }} On his podcast, Bannon said he was proud to be a Luddite and expressed concern that Homo sapiens could be replaced in the near future.{{cite web|url=https://warroom.org/joe-allen-summoning-demons-through-ai/ |title=Joe Allen: Summoning Demons Through AI |website=warroom.org |date=March 13, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604072335/https://warroom.org/joe-allen-summoning-demons-through-ai/ |archive-date=June 4, 2023 }}

Bannon's ideology was the subject of the book War for Eternity by Benjamin R. Teitelbaum, where his thinking is described as combining elements of a radical version of traditionalism with paleoconservatism and other more standard American conservative beliefs.{{sfn|Teitelbaum|2020a|pp=1-2}} Bannon's political and economic views have been described by others as nationalist,{{cite news|website=The Hill |issn=1521-1568 |oclc=31153202 |title=Trump pressured to dump nationalist wing|date=August 15, 2017|archive-date=August 18, 2017 |first1=Jonathan |last1=Easley |first2=Jordan |last2=Fabian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818085805/http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/346538-trump-pressured-to-dump-nationalist-wing|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/346538-trump-pressured-to-dump-nationalist-wing/}} and right-wing populist.{{cite news |last1=Parker |first1=Ashley |last2=Rucker |first2=Philip |last3=Costa |first3=Robert |last4=Paletta |first4=Damian (Damina) |agency=The Washington Post|title=Sources: Trump dismisses Bannon|newspaper=The Mercury News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818181724/http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/08/18/sources-bannon-is-leaving-white-house/ |archive-date=August 18, 2017 |date=August 18, 2017|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/08/18/sources-bannon-is-leaving-white-house/}} He self-identifies as a conservative.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/05/24/rage-machine |title=Rage Machine |last=Mead |first=Rebecca |magazine=The New Yorker |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811153014/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/05/24/rage-machine |archive-date=August 11, 2014 |volume=86 |id={{Gale|A227220062}} |issn=0028-792X |oclc=320541675 |issue=14 |date=May 24, 2010 |access-date=October 20, 2015}}{{Cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/conservatives-cpac-2014/story?id=22792609#7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308070455/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/conservatives-cpac-2014/story?id=22792609#7 |archive-date=March 8, 2014 |title=Conservatives to know at CPAC 2014 |last=Phillip |first=Abby |date=March 6, 2014 |publisher=ABC News |access-date=October 20, 2015}} He rejects allegations that he is a white nationalist.{{cite Q |Q33130625 |first=Joshua|last=Green |isbn=9780735225022 |page=146}}

At a party congress in March 2018, Bannon gave members of the French right-wing populist National Front (NF) what has been described as a "populist pep talk". He advised party members to "Let them call you racist, let them call you xenophobes, let them call you nativists. Wear it like a badge of honor. Because every day, we get stronger and they get weaker...History is on our side and will bring us victory." Bannon's remarks brought the members to their feet.{{cite news |publisher=France 24|language=en|date=March 11, 2018|access-date=August 11, 2019|title=Wear 'racist' like a badge of honour, Bannon tells French far-right summit|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20180311-france-usa-bannon-le-pen-national-front-racist-badge-honour-populist-pep-talk-lille-trump?ref=tw|author=McNicholl, Tracy}}{{cite news |last=Willsher |first=Kim |date=March 10, 2018 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/mar/10/steve-bannon-tells-french-far-right-history-is-on-our-side |title=Steve Bannon tells French far-right 'history is on our side' |newspaper=The Guardian |oclc=60623878|issn=0261-3077 |eissn=1756-3224 |access-date=July 6, 2020 }}{{cite web|first=Elaine|last=Ganley|date=March 10, 2018|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/bannon-racist-label-is-badge-of-honor-france-far-right-party-speech-2018-3-2|title=Steve Bannon told a French far-right party to wear the 'racist' label 'as a badge of honor'|agency=Associated Press|magazine=Business Insider|access-date=September 10, 2019|archive-date=August 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804134443/https://www.businessinsider.com/bannon-racist-label-is-badge-of-honor-france-far-right-party-speech-2018-3-2|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|publisher=CNN|title=Bannon: 'Let them call you racists'|date=March 11, 2018|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/10/politics/steve-bannon-national-front/index.html}} Critics expressed concern that Bannon was "normalizing racism".{{cite news|first=William|last=Cummings|date=March 16, 2018|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/03/16/bannon-racist-badge-honor/417286002/|title='Let them call you racist': What Steve Bannon's remarks reveal about the once-powerful label|newspaper=USA Today}}

Bannon was influenced by Fourth Turning theory, outlined in Neil Howe's and William Strauss's The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy,{{cite news|last=Howe |first=Neil |author-link=Neil Howe|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/where-did-steve-bannon-get-his-worldview-from-my-book/2017/02/24/16937f38-f84a-11e6-9845-576c69081518_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226042953/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/where-did-steve-bannon-get-his-worldview-from-my-book/2017/02/24/16937f38-f84a-11e6-9845-576c69081518_story.html |archive-date=February 26, 2017 |title=Where did Steve Bannon get his worldview? From my book. |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 16, 2017}} one of Bannon's favorite books.{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/02/steve-bannon-books-reading-list-214745|title=What Steve Bannon Wants You to Read|last1=Johnson|first1=Eliana|date=February 7, 2017|website=Politico|last2=Stokols|first2=Eli}} The theory proposes, "populism, nationalism and state-run authoritarianism would soon be on the rise, not just in America but around the world. [...Once one strips] away the extraneous accidents and technology, you are left with only a limited number of social moods, which tend to recur in a fixed order" and cyclically. The book was major influence on Bannon's film Generation Zero.{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/steve-bannon-apocalypse_us_5898f02ee4b040613138a951 |title=Steve Bannon Believes The Apocalypse Is Coming And War Is Inevitable |date=February 8, 2018 |first1=Paul |last1=Blumenthal |first2=JM |last2=Rieger |newspaper=HuffPost|access-date=September 25, 2018 }}{{cite magazine|last1=Weigel|first1=David|title=Blowing Up Stuff|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2010/10/blowing_up_stuff.html|access-date=August 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221152115/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2010/10/how-citizens-united-s-latest-movie-battle-for-america-tries-to-motivate-conservative-voters.html |archive-date=December 21, 2019 |magazine=Slate|date=October 1, 2010}}

According to Bannon's former friends, he was particularly influenced by the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita and the ancient Chinese military treatise The Art of War.{{cite news|website=News18|title=How Bhagavad Gita 'Shaped Views' of Trump's Chief Strategist Steve Bannon|date=February 27, 2018|url=https://www.news18.com/news/world/how-bhagavad-gita-shaped-the-views-of-trumps-chief-strategist-steve-bannon-1353874.html}}{{cite news|website=The Daily Beast |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716045049/https://www.thedailybeast.com/steve-bannons-long-love-affair-with-war |publisher=InterActiveCorp |date=April 11, 2017 |archive-date=July 16, 2022 |first1=Asawin |last1=Suebsaeng|title=Steve Bannon's Long Love Affair With War|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/steve-bannons-long-love-affair-with-war |orig-date=January 31, 2017}} Bannon has also cited the Russian neo-fascist Alexander Dugin,{{cite news|last=Hawk|first=Brandon W.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/04/16/why-far-right-nationalists-like-steve-bannon-have-embraced-russian-ideologue/|title=Why far-right nationalists like Steve Bannon have embraced a Russian ideologue|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=April 16, 2019|access-date=May 24, 2019}} who promotes a Russian nationalist variant of traditionalism called Eurasianism,{{cite magazine|last=Green |first=Joshua |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/07/the-strange-origins-of-steve-bannons-nationalist-fantasia |title=Inside the Secret, Strange Origins of Steve Bannon's Nationalist Fantasia |magazine=Vanity Fair|date=July 17, 2017 |access-date=September 16, 2017}} and described himself as a fan of Dugin's book, The Fourth Political Theory. However, Bannon has urged Dugin to abandon his anti-American and Sinophile views.{{cite news|website=The Nation|title=Covid-19 Is the Crisis Radical 'Traditionalists' Have Been Waiting For|first=Benjamin|last=Teitelbaum|date=April 8, 2020b|url=https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/covid-traditionalist-bannon-putin/|access-date=September 7, 2021}} Bannon has also described Brazilian traditionalist thinker Olavo de Carvalho as "one of the great conservative intellectuals in the world".{{cite magazine|magazine=The Atlantic|first=Letícia|last=Duarte|title=Meet the Intellectual Founder of Brazil's Far Right|date=December 28, 2019|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/12/brazil-olavo-de-carvalho-jair-bolsonaro/604117/|access-date=September 7, 2021}}

Bannon is an admirer of paleoconservative commentator Pat Buchanan.{{cite magazine|magazine=The National Interest|first=Curt|last=Mills|date=May 25, 2018|title=Steve Bannon Is Embracing European Populism|url=http://nationalinterest.org/feature/steve-bannon-embracing-european-populism-25978}} Bannon's favorite columnist is academic Walter Russell Mead.{{cite news |url=https://nationalinterest.org/feature/iran-hawks-think-it%E2%80%99s-1989-not-2003-26691?page=0%2C1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725025349/https://nationalinterest.org/feature/iran-hawks-think-it%E2%80%99s-1989-not-2003-26691 |archive-date=July 25, 2018 |title=Iran Hawks Think It's 1989, Not 2003 |newspaper=The National Interest |first=Curt |last=Mills |date=July 24, 2018 |access-date=July 26, 2018 }} In a 2014 speech to a Vatican conference, Bannon made a passing reference to Julius Evola, a twentieth-century, Nazi-linked Italian writer who influenced Benito Mussolini's Italian Fascism and promoted the Traditionalist School, described by a New York Times writer as "a worldview popular in far-right and alternative religious circles that believes progress and equality are poisonous illusions." Bannon's interest in the ideas of the Traditionalist School was driven by Evola's book Revolt Against the Modern World, and Guénon's books Man and His Becoming According to the Vedanta and The Crisis of the Modern World.Green, 2017, page 206. In March 2016, Bannon stated he appreciates "any piece that mentions Evola".{{cite news|website=BuzzFeed|title=Here's How Breitbart And Milo Smuggled Nazi and White Nationalist Ideas Into The Mainstream|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/josephbernstein/heres-how-breitbart-and-milo-smuggled-white-nationalism|first=Joseph|last=Bernstein|date=October 5, 2017}} In referring to the associated views of Vladimir Putin, who is influenced by Evola follower Dugin, Bannon stated "We, the Judeo-Christian West, really have to look at what he's talking about as far as Traditionalism goes — particularly the sense of where it supports the underpinnings of nationalism."{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Horowitz |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/10/world/europe/bannon-vatican-julius-evola-fascism.html?_r=0 |title=Steve Bannon Cited Italian Thinker Who Inspired Fascists |newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 10, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |access-date=March 7, 2017 }} He has likewise quoted French anti-Enlightenment writer Charles Maurras approvingly to a French diplomat.{{Cite news |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/03/stephen-bannon-fan-french-anti-semite-who-sided-nazis |title=Stephen Bannon Is a Fan of a French Philosopher... Who Was an Anti-Semite and a Nazi Supporter: Charles Maurras was sentenced to life in prison for complicity with the Nazis. |last=Levy |first=Pema |date=March 16, 2017 |website=Mother Jones}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/03/16/steve_bannon_is_at_it_again_and_by_it_we_mean_nazism.html |title=Another Day, Another Report About Steve Bannon's Affection for Nazism |date=March 16, 2017 |website=Slate|first=Ben|last=Mathis-Lilley|access-date=September 8, 2021}} Bannon has also repeatedly referenced the controversial French novel The Camp of the Saints (1973) by Jean Raspail, which depicts Third World immigration destroying Western civilization.{{cite magazine|last=Burleigh|first=Nina|url=http://www.newsweek.com/bannon-canon-books-trump-adviser-572835|title=The Bannon Canon: Books Favored by the Trump Adviser|magazine=Newsweek|date=March 23, 2017|access-date=May 24, 2019}} He has embraced what BBC News describes as Savitri Devi's "account of history as a cyclical battle between good and evil".{{Cite news |publisher=BBC News|date=October 28, 2017|title=Savitri Devi: The mystical fascist being resurrected by the alt-right|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-41757047}} Bannon told an interviewer in 2018 that he is "fascinated by Mussolini", noting: "He was clearly loved by women. He was a guy's guy. He has all that virility. He also had amazing fashion sense, right, that whole thing with the uniforms."{{cite magazine|magazine=The Spectator|title='I'm fascinated by Mussolini': Steve Bannon on fascism, populism and everything in between|date=March 14, 2018|url=https://usa.spectator.co.uk/2018/03/im-fascinated-by-mussolini-steve-bannon-on-fascism-populism-and-everything-in-between/|access-date=March 16, 2018|first=Nicholas|last=Farrell|archive-date=March 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315150140/https://usa.spectator.co.uk/2018/03/im-fascinated-by-mussolini-steve-bannon-on-fascism-populism-and-everything-in-between/}} A former Breitbart writer wrote that Bannon said in 2015 that alt-right publication American Renaissance was "fighting the same fight" as him.{{cite news|website=BuzzFeed|title=A Former Alt-Right Member's Message: Get Out While You Still Can|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/rosiegray/katie-mchugh|date=May 1, 2019|first=Rosie|last=Gray|access-date=September 7, 2021}} Bannon has expressed admiration for German Conservative Revolutionary philosopher Martin Heidegger, praising his "ideas on the subject of being".{{Cite magazine|first=Christoph|last=Scheuermann|magazine=Der Spiegel|date=October 29, 2018|url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/stephen-bannon-tries-rightwing-revolution-in-europe-a-1235297.html|title=Stephen Bannon Tries Rightwing Revolution in Europe}}

German film director Leni Riefenstahl, who produced propaganda films for the regime in Nazi Germany, is said to have influenced Bannon's film-making techniques, with Bannon once describing himself to writing colleague Julia Jones as the "Riefenstahl of George Bush", modifying the ending as "the GOP" when Jones was horrified.{{cite news|last=Pearce|first=Matt|url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-bannon-influences-20161209-story.html|title=Stephen Bannon found inspiration in ancient thinkers, Ronald Reagan and Nazi propaganda|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=December 9, 2016|access-date=May 24, 2019}} The opening of Bannon's documentary film The Hope & The Change (2012){{cite news|last1=Bila|first1=Jedidiah|title=Obama voters reject 'hope and change' in new documentary |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602113044/http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/08/27/obama-voters-reject-hope-and-change-in-new-documentary.html |archive-date=June 2, 2015 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/obama-voters-reject-hope-and-change-in-new-documentary/ |access-date=August 12, 2015 |publisher=Fox News |url-status=live|date=August 27, 2012}} consciously imitated Riefenstahl's film The Triumph of the Will (1935), which depicted the Nuremberg Rally held in 1934.{{cite news|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/03/27/the-reclusive-hedge-fund-tycoon-behind-the-trump-presidency|title=The Reclusive Hedge Fund Tycoon Behind The Trump Presidency|magazine=The New Yorker|first=Jane|last=Mayer|author-link=Jane Mayer|date=March 27, 2017|access-date=August 24, 2021}}

He has expressed interest in Henri Bergson's concept of élan vital and Joseph Schumpeter's creative destruction. Additionally, he said that his initial inspiration to get into traditionalist philosophy was his reading of George Gurdjieff, when Dugin asked him to explain this during a meeting they had together in Rome.{{sfn|Teitelbaum|2020a|pp=33, 111}}

Speaking at a Conservative Political Action Conference meeting in February 2025, Bannon closed his pro-Trump remarks with what appeared to some as a Nazi salute. The incident came one month after Elon Musk made a similar salute during a Trump inaugural appearance.{{cite news |last1=Paperfuss |first1=Mary |title=Did Steve Bannon flash a Nazi salute at CPAC? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/steve-bannon-cpac-nazi-salute-b2702063.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=February 21, 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Homans |first1=Charles |last2=Bubola |first2=Emma |last3=Gold |first3=Michael |title=Bannon Salute at Right-Wing Event Sparks Outcry, Even on French Right |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/us/politics/bannon-salute-cpac-musk.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 21, 2025}} As a result, National Rally president Jordan Bardella canceled his scheduled speech to CPAC.{{Cite news |date=February 22, 2025 |title=French far-right leader cancels CPAC speech, calling out Steve Bannon's 'Nazi ideology' hand gesture|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/french-far-right-jordan-bardella-steve-bannon-nazi-ideology-gesture-rcna193195|access-date=February 22, 2025 |work=}}{{Cite news |date=February 22, 2025 |title=France far-right leader Bardella cancels US speech after ex-Trump aide makes 'Nazi gesture'|url=https://www.france24.com/en/france/20250221-france-far-right-leader-cancels-us-speech-after-ex-trump-aide-makes-nazi-gesture-stage-jordan-bardella|access-date=February 22, 2025 |work=}}

File:Steve Bannon -.jpg

Bannon has been married and divorced three times. He has three adult daughters. His first marriage was to Cathleen Suzanne Houff. Bannon and Houff had a daughter, Maureen, in 1988 and subsequently divorced.{{cite news |last1=Lipscomb |first1=Jessica |title=As Steve Bannon Rose to Power, His Ex-Wife Struggled With Drugs and Violence in Miami |url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/as-steve-bannon-rose-to-power-his-ex-wife-struggled-with-drugs-and-violence-in-miami-9096063 |newspaper=Miami New Times |date=January 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203173343/https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/as-steve-bannon-rose-to-power-his-ex-wife-struggled-with-drugs-and-violence-in-miami-9096063 |archive-date=February 3, 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Shane|first1=Scott|title=Combative, Populist Steve Bannon Found His Man in Donald Trump|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/27/us/politics/steve-bannon-white-house.html?_r=0 |access-date=June 14, 2022|newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |eissn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |id={{Gale|A471788112}} |via=Gale OneFile |page=A1 |publication-date=November 28, 2016 |edition=Local |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129152415/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/27/us/politics/steve-bannon-white-house.html |archive-date=November 29, 2016 |date=November 27, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Nelson|first1=Tracy|title=Set Up For Success|url=http://goarmywestpoint.com/news/2009/10/3/Set_Up_For_Success.aspx|website=Army West Point Athletics|date=October 3, 2009|access-date=November 15, 2016|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202052920/http://goarmywestpoint.com/news/2009/10/3/Set_Up_For_Success.aspx}}

Bannon's second marriage was to Mary Louise Piccard, a former investment banker, in April 1995. Their twin daughters were born three days after the wedding. Piccard filed for dissolution of their marriage in 1997.{{cite news|last1=Finnegan|first1=Michael|last2=Pearce|first2=Matt|last3=Serna|first3=Joseph|title=Domestic violence allegations from 1996 surface against chief of Donald Trump's campaign|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-bannon-abuse-allegations-20160826-snap-story.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=August 26, 2016}}{{cite web|first=Yashir |last=Ali |url=https://theopporeport.com/2016/12/02/the-bannon-files-divorce-records-reveal-marital-discord-and-questionable-parenting/|title=The Bannon Files: Divorce Records Reveal Marital Discord and Questionable Parenting|date=December 2, 2016|website=the opporeport.com|url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129131629/https://theopporeport.com/2016/12/02/the-bannon-files-divorce-records-reveal-marital-discord-and-questionable-parenting/|archive-date=January 29, 2017}}

During their divorce proceedings, Piccard alleged that Bannon had made antisemitic remarks about her choice of schools, saying he did not want to send his children to the Archer School for Girls because there were too many Jews at the school, and Jews raise their children to be "whiny brats". Bannon's spokesperson denied the accusation, noting that he had chosen to send both his children to the Archer School.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/trump-campaign-ceo-steve-bannon-accused-anti-semitic-remarks-ex-n638731|title=Trump Campaign CEO Steve Bannon Accused of Anti-Semitic Remarks by Ex-Wife|last=Chuck|first=Elizabeth|website=NBC News|access-date=November 13, 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/new-trump-campaign-chief-faces-scrutiny-over-voter-registration-past-charges/2016/08/26/bf5bc3b2-6b98-11e6-ba32-5a4bf5aad4fa_story.html|title=New Trump campaign chief faces scrutiny over voter registration, anti-Semitism|newspaper=The Washington Post|first1=Sean|last1=Sullivan|first2=Alice|last2=Crites|date=August 26, 2016|access-date=November 14, 2016}}

Bannon's third marriage was to model Diane Clohesy; they married in 2006 and divorced in 2009.{{cite news |url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/steve-bannons-miami-house-site-of-repeat-domestic-violence-gun-theft-9206151 |newspaper=Miami New Times |title=Police Reports Show Repeat Domestic Violence, Theft at Steve Bannon's Miami Address |date=March 16, 2017 |access-date=January 2, 2018 |first=Jessica |last=Lipscomb |quote=Diane Clohesy was married to Steve Bannon from 2006 to 2009. }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/aug/26/steve-bannon-florida-registered-vote-donald-trump|title=Trump campaign chief Steve Bannon is registered voter at vacant Florida home|last1=Swaine|first1=Jon|date=November 13, 2016|first2=Lauren |last2=Gambino |first3=Richard |last3=Luscombe|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=January 26, 2017}}

His brother, Chris Bannon, is a TV producer.{{Cite news |first=Kelly |last=McEvers |date=October 19, 2017 |title=Trump stories: Bannon |website=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/transcripts/558679167?t=1652288297170 |access-date=June 16, 2022 |archive-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511170126/https://www.npr.org/transcripts/558679167?t=1652288297170 |quote=maybe he doesn't really agree with those white supremacists who helped with the rise of people like Milo Yiannopoulos, the rise of Breitbart News and the rise of Donald Trump. Maybe those people are just numbers to him. I mean, I guess if you're down with white supremacists, you're down with white supremacists and no one should care why you're down with them. But if you are tactical, that means you can change. |publisher=NPR}}{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1883608/ |title=Chris Bannon |website=IMDb }}

Bannon has been a producer, writer, director or actor on the following films and documentaries:

• Mueller Report
• Russian interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum
• Timeline of Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections
• Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections
• Unhumans

{{notelist}}

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• {{IMDb name|id=0052442}}
• {{C-SPAN|38634}}
• [https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/1306611/download Federal fraud and money laundering indictment]
• {{cite episode|title=Bannon's War|series=Frontline|series-link=Frontline (American TV program)|network=PBS|station=WGBH|date=May 23, 2017|season=35|number=18|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/bannons-war/|access-date=November 28, 2024}}

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