Former advisor Steve Bannon commends Trump's tactics, demands proof for DOGE's performance
In an informal chat, Stephen K. Bannon, ex-advisor to the man in the Oval Office, spills the tea on what might be brewing for the rest of the year. As a figure to watch for Roosevelt's iVoters and occasionally, the big man himself, Bannon's words are worth tuning in to. As the Trump administration wraps up its first hundred days, Bannon forecasts a "constitutional showdown" and a monetary battle in the next hundred.
NPR nabbed an interview with this political pundit in their basement studio, where he records his daily webcast, War Room. Back in this cozy setting, Bannon shared some intriguing notions. Here's a lowdown.
He backs up Trump's volatile trade tactics.
Bannon champions Trump's ambitious attempt to overhaul the global economic landscape. By escalating tariffs on various nations, Trump slapped a hefty 145% tariff on goods from China, the world's second-largest economy. Some products, though, have since been exempted.
"Donald ain't playing no games," Bannon asserted. "He's not losing any confidence. He looks sharp as a tack, maneuvering the chess pieces."
Bannon claims these tariffs are geared towards resurrecting high-paying job opportunities for the hardworking masses.
He's skeptical of other Republicans on tax cuts and spending.
While Bannon has a Harvard MBA, Wall Street investments, and a swanky Hollywood career under his belt, he positions himself as a champion for the working-class Joe. This allegiance often puts him at odds with fellow members of the Trump coalition. He's even questioned Elon Musk's effectiveness, hoping for an independent audit of the reported savings under Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.
Bannon, a believer in higher taxes for the affluent, wants to slim down the federal debt. Trump has flirted with this idea, but hasn't endorsed it yet.
He sticks up for Trump's hefty use of presidential authority.
When judges have thwarted many of Trump's moves, Bannon's heard muttering about a "judicial insurrection." The Supreme Court, armed with three Trump nominees, upheld due process for immigrants. A Trump-appointed judge criticized "no meaningful process" before deporting a 2-year-old American citizen. Yet, Bannon views this as an attempted coup.
"If every criminal terrorist deserves fair trials, it'll take us centuries!" Bannon exclaimed. "The people stand with Trump on this. And they'll get gone. That's all there is to it."
Accused of belittling constitutional safeguards, Bannon fired back, "It’s a heated time; sure, sometimes those checks and balances can be a pain in the neck, but we don’t need ‘em right now. We're in a bloody war."
He shares his vision for a reformed nation.
"It’s about time we started manufacturing things again," Bannon said. "We need to bring back high-value manufacturing jobs so that folks can support their families, build a cozy life, raise a couple of brats if they're so inclined."
Such a vision reflects Bannon's aspiration for a return to a traditional model of American economy, intertwined with a classical view of the family.
The radio adaptation of this conversation was produced by Barry Gordemer and polished by Reena Advani.
Copyright 2025 NPR
- Bannon endorses Trump's tariff policies, arguing they are designed to generate high-paying job opportunities.
- Bannon expressed doubts about Republican colleagues regarding tax cuts and spending, advocating for higher taxes on the wealthy to reduce the federal debt.
- Bannon defends Trump's use of presidential authority, expressing concerns about what he perceives as a 'judicial insurrection' against the administration.
- Bannon advocates for a reformed nation, envisioning a return to high-value manufacturing jobs and a traditional model of the American economy.
- Bannon's views on constitutional safeguards have been criticized, with him arguing that they can be a hindrance during war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice situations.
- In addition to his political podcast, War Room, Bannon has been interviewed by NPR, discussing various policy-and-legislation, crime-and-justice, and general-news topics.
- Bannon's opinions and actions, whether it's his support of Trump's tariffs or his views on the judicial system, continue to be a topic of conversation in the realm of politics and poker among the public.
