Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF):
Steve Bannon argued on Wednesday’s WarRoom program that corporate media fundamentally misunderstands and underreports Trump’s widespread support, blinding itself to a historic populist movement. Drawing on his admiration for historical figures, Bannon painted Trump as a pivotal leader challenging the establishment narrative as the media struggled to grasp the fundamental dynamics at play.
Media’s Bubble: "They Don’t Get It”
In Bannon’s view, the media exists in a bubble, isolated from the reality of Trump’s broad appeal. "They still don’t get it,” he stated emphatically, criticizing corporate outlets for ignoring the everyday lives of Americans who feel left behind by traditional power structures. Bannon believes the media’s coverage doesn’t merely lack perspective—it actively misleads the public about Trump’s movement.
According to Bannon, mainstream media, including even conservative outlets like Fox News, has sidestepped the "America First” message. “Fox wouldn’t even show the rallies because they knew Trump was going to talk about election interference,” he pointed out. This, he argued, isn’t journalism but a calculated effort to stifle what he sees as an authentic political awakening among average Americans.
Trump’s Movement: A Grassroots Engine of Change
Bannon sees Trump’s followers as grassroots powerhouses, likening them to movements from America’s revolutionary past. “This is a bootstrap operation,” Bannon said, describing the thousands of volunteers and voters powering Trump’s campaign through door-to-door engagement and community activism. To him, these individuals, rather than the establishment’s carefully managed narratives, are the true lifeblood of this political shift.
Bannon highlighted the establishment’s surprise over the support scale for Trump’s message. “The scale of it shocked them,” he added, pointing out how a robust volunteer base transforms the political landscape in key states. For Bannon, this is a testament to the movement’s resilience and the media’s miscalculation in overlooking its force.
The Historic Moment Media Ignored
In Bannon’s eyes, this is a historic moment akin to the political upheavals of past centuries. He compares Trump’s movement to the realignments of 1932, envisioning a future where this era will be studied as a defining period in American history. "What you have accomplished,” Bannon said to Trump’s supporters, "will be discussed in history classes 100 years from now.”
Bannon argues that the corporate media, consumed by their conventional narratives, is entirely missing this transformative period. By downplaying or dismissing Trump’s support, he believes they’re "on the wrong side of history.” In his words, this is not a fleeting trend but the start of a new populist revolution that will reshape the nation’s political fabric.
Trump Through the Lens of History: A Leader for the Ages
For Bannon, Trump’s leadership is far from ordinary; it carries historical weight. He often draws parallels between Trump and figures like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, framing Trump as a leader facing challenges as significant as those faced by the nation’s founders. "No other men in the history of this Republic, save Washington and Lincoln, had the personal fate of the nation so closely tied to their own,” Bannon stated, underscoring the importance of Trump’s role.
In Bannon’s view, Trump embodies the same defiant spirit of past revolutionary leaders, willing to confront entrenched power for the sake of the American people. This, he believes, is precisely what the media fails to grasp. To them, Trump is a divisive figure, but for Bannon, Trump represents an enduring legacy in the tradition of American leadership.
Conclusion: Bannon’s Vision and Media’s Blind Spot
Ultimately, Bannon insists that the corporate media is missing one of this generation’s most significant political movements. "They’re out of touch,” he claimed, asserting that the media’s bubble blinds it to the voices and concerns of the American people. With his historical framing, Bannon suggests that Trump’s movement is not merely another political campaign but part of a profound transformation.
As Bannon calls the media to account, he leaves no doubt about his belief in the stakes of this moment. "This isn’t just politics as usual,” he said. For Bannon, the story is about a nation in flux, a leader in Trump poised to reshape it, and a media apparatus that just can’t keep up.
For more of our coverage of Bannon’s teachings:
"You’re Cratering, Democrats”: Bannon’s Defiant Warning as MAGA Rises Again
For more context on Bannon’s Wednesday WarRoom comments:
Steve Bannon Reminds the WarRoom Posse Their Impact: “It’s Like Being In The American Revolution.”
