Steve Bannon is demanding "receipts” to back up Health Secretary RFK Jr.’s Tuesday announcement ending $500 million in mRNA contracts. Bannon insists the Trump administration release the full scientific evidence so the decision stands against Big Pharma’s inevitable counterattack.
QUICK CLIP:
BANNON: RFK Jr.'s move against mRNA vaccines is massive, but they can’t stop at a press release.
They need to show the studies and explain it to the public. pic.twitter.com/jYLOyoirfA
— Bannon’s WarRoom (@Bannons_WarRoom) August 6, 2025
Day One Tuesday: The Shock Announcement
On Tuesday, President Trump’s Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivered a televised press conference that shook the pharmaceutical and political world. Kennedy announced that HHS, after months of internal review, was terminating 22 government-funded mRNA vaccine development contracts — worth nearly $500 million — for respiratory viruses such as COVID-19 and influenza.
Kennedy explained that the science showed mRNA’s narrow targeting of viral proteins makes it vulnerable to mutation, which can reduce effectiveness and even prolong outbreaks. After consulting top experts at NIH and FDA, HHS concluded the risks outweighed the benefits. The decision marked a sharp pivot away from the "Fauci-era” approach and toward broader, safer vaccine platforms.
Tuesday Night: War Room Reacts
Minutes later, Steve Bannon brought Dr. Ryan Cole onto War Room for immediate reaction. Cole, a pathologist known for his early and vocal opposition to mRNA, called the move a "bombshell” and "a massive win” for RFK Jr. and the MAGA movement. He stressed that without government money, much of mRNA’s development pipeline would collapse.
Bannon zeroed in on what he called the "big question” — what exactly happened between Kennedy’s appointment in the spring and this sweeping decision in August? What research and reviews led to such a monumental shift? Both men agreed the fight was far from over: this wasn’t a total ban, and Big Pharma and its political allies would push back with lawsuits, media attacks, and lobbying.
QUICK CLIP OF DR.COLE from Tuesday night’s WarRoom:
Ryan Cole M.D.: "It’s Not A Ban On mRNA, But It’s A Wind Down Of The Government Investing Through BARDA In These Technologies” @drcole12 pic.twitter.com/jy9c7vj2ZF
— Bannon’s WarRoom (@Bannons_WarRoom) August 5, 2025
Watch Kennedy’s announcement and the Tuesday WarRoom discussion between Bannon and Cole:
Dr. Ryan Cole: arcolmd.com | X/Twitter: @DrCole12
Research Database: react19.org
Ryan Cole M.D.: "It’s Not A Ban On mRNA, But It’s A Wind Down Of The Government Investing Through BARDA In These Technologies”
Day Two, Wednesday: The Cold Open and Bannon’s Battle Plan
Wednesday’s WarRoom segment on this opened with a replay of Tuesday night’s discussion, setting the stage for Bannon to expand on his thinking. His message was blunt: a press release and a few talking points aren’t enough to win. "Show the receipts,” he said — meaning the actual studies, expert names, and detailed reasoning that led to the decision.
Watch that footage from Wednesday:
BANNON: RFK Jr.’s Move Against mRNA Vaccines Is Massive, But They Can’t Stop At A Press Release
Bannon outlined the next steps he would like to see:
- Compile the 700+ studies and other peer-reviewed research showing the risks of mRNA in respiratory viruses.
- Curate the evidence into a clear, public case.
- Take it to both friendly and hostile outlets — CNN, MSNBC, The New York Times — so the opposition can’t claim it’s just political theater.
- Dr. Cole backed the strategy, adding that research dollars should also go toward helping those injured by mRNA shots. He stressed that the focus should be on science and solutions, not revenge or emotional attacks.
Opening Salvo, Not Victory Lap
Bannon framed Tuesday’s announcement as the opening salvo in a longer war, not the end of the battle. Without transparency and aggressive communication, the decision could be painted as an "anti-vax stunt” and reversed in the courts or through political pressure. Cole agreed, warning that the pharmaceutical industry and its media allies will not roll over when billions are at stake.
The Path Forward
For Bannon, the goal is to turn RFK Jr.’s decision into an unassailable, evidence-backed position that can withstand legal, media, and political challenges. That means mobilizing credible experts, unifying the movement, and getting the facts into the hands of the American people — including those who were told for years that mRNA was the future.
