- Bannon warns that if Republicans lose 2026 and 2028, he and others in the MAGA movement could face prison, urging maximalist, urgent action.
- He frames Democratic gains and ongoing setbacks as existential threats, calling to codify Trump’s orders and seize institutions to avoid defeat.
Steve Bannon, the influential podcaster and former Trump advisor fresh off a prison term, issued a stark warning to a group of conservative leaders: failure to hold power in the 2026 midterms and 2028 presidential race could result in jail time for some in the MAGA movement, including himself.
Speaking at a Conservative Partnership Institute event aimed at grooming the next wave of GOP staffers, Bannon’s comments came hot on the heels of Democratic successes in off-year elections, heightening fears among Republicans about their precarious grip on Congress.
Bannon, who served four months in federal prison for contempt of Congress tied to the January 6 probe and earlier faced charges in a border wall fundraising scheme, emphasized the high stakes.
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His speech underscored a sense of urgency amid a backdrop of GOP setbacks and an ongoing government shutdown that’s stretched into its second month.
Democratic Gains Fuel Republican Anxiety
The off-year elections on November 5 delivered blows to Republicans, marking an early referendum on Donald Trump’s second term.
In New York City, democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, a state assembly member, became the first Muslim mayor, a win that sent shockwaves through conservative circles.
Bannon took to X to sound the alarm, posting, “The midterms start tonight, and the warning signs are flashing.”
He highlighted Mamdani’s victory as a symptom of broader issues, suggesting it stemmed from decades of progressive policies.
In Georgia, Democrats achieved a historic flip of the Public Service Commission, with challengers Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard defeating Republican incumbents in Districts 2 and 3—the first such shift in over 20 years.
Virginia saw former Rep. Abigail Spanberger secure a resounding gubernatorial victory, while New Jersey’s races also tilted blue.
These results, coupled with a California referendum potentially adding Democratic congressional seats, have Democrats optimistic about 2026, where polls like a recent YouGov survey show them leading in projections for House control.
President Trump downplayed the losses, noting they occurred in heavily Democratic areas, but acknowledged the government shutdown—now at 36 days—might have played a role.
The impasse centers on funding disputes, with Democrats demanding extensions for Obamacare subsidies in exchange for support.
Bannon’s Call to Arms: Maximize Power or Face Peril
In his address, Bannon pushed for a bold Republican strategy to entrench Trump’s policies.
“We have to understand that if we don’t take this to the maximum—a maximalist strategy now, with a sense of urgency, and in doing this, seize the institutions—if we don’t do that now, we lose this chance forever. Because you’re never gonna have another Trump,” he said.
He advocated codifying Trump’s executive orders into law and suggested eliminating the Senate filibuster to break the shutdown stalemate, citing potential backing from senators like Josh Hawley.
Bannon framed Democrats as escalating threats. “They’re getting more and more radical, and we have to counter that,” he stated.
He continued, “And what do we have to counter it with? We have to counter it with more action, more intense action, more urgency. We’re burning daylight. If you look across every aspect of this, we have to codify what President Trump has done by executive order.”
The climax of his remarks was the prison alert: “And I will tell you right now, as God is my witness, if we lose the midterms and we lose 2028, some in this room are going to prison—myself included.”
This echoes his earlier predictions about Trump facing similar fates if Democrats regain the White House.
A Pattern of Warnings: Bannon’s Ongoing Alarm Bells
Bannon has voiced these concerns before. In a March 2025 appearance on Real America’s Voice, he declared, “God forbid we don’t win in ’28, President Trump is going to prison.”
He elaborated during the interview, saying, “We are kidding ourselves if we don’t think that Democrats are pulling out all the stops to stop President Trump, to take the House through any means necessary to impeach Trump.”
Reflecting on the post-2024 election mood, Bannon criticized complacency: “People are sitting around, still with the glow of November 4th and all the inaugurations and all the balls.
We’re at war and things that’ve happened in the last 72 hours, if you don’t understand we’re in political warfare, you’re not awake.”
He reiterated his belief in Trump’s enduring role, stating, “I’m a firm believer that President Trump will run and win again in 2028.”
These statements align with Bannon’s post-prison mindset. Released in October 2024, he described prison experiences that reinforced his resolve, including bonds with fellow inmates who were avid Trump supporters.
Backlash and Broader Implications
Bannon’s words have drawn sharp responses. Georgetown University historian Aviel Roshwald posted, “Steve Bannon motivating Democratic voters.”
Political writer Christopher Webb warned on Substack that Bannon and allies “do not give a damn about the law, the Constitution, or democracy. They only care about control.
And if we keep treating their words as ‘just talk,’ it will be too late when it stops being talk.”
As Republicans navigate a slim House majority and Senate challenges, Bannon’s rhetoric highlights internal pressures.
With midterms approaching and Trump’s agenda facing hurdles, these warnings could galvanize the base—or alienate moderates.
The coming months will test whether this fear-mongering translates to electoral strategy or further division.
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