In a WarRoom segment from last year, Steve Bannon passionately critiqued Fox News and Rupert Murdoch, accusing them of betraying their audience and the principles of true conservatism. Bannon’s disdain for Fox News is not new; he has frequently criticized the network for what he perceives as its alignment with the establishment rather than standing with grassroots conservative movements like the MAGA movement led by former President Donald Trump.

In his 2023 smackdown, Bannon went further, portraying Murdoch’s actions as a deliberate attempt to erase Trump from public consciousness.

“They said we’re going to make Trump a non-person,” Bannon declared, accusing Murdoch of trying to diminish Trump’s influence by limiting his coverage and portraying him negatively.

Bannon contrasted this with the idea of Trump as a modern-day Cincinnatus, a reference to the Roman statesman who left his farm to lead Rome in a time of crisis and then returned to his farm once his duty was fulfilled.

Bannon views Trump similarly, as someone who left his life of business success to lead America and is willing to fight once more to save the country, even at great personal cost.

SOMETHING AVERAGE PEOPLE CAN RELATE TO

“They want to make Cincinnatus a non-person,” Bannon lamented, underscoring the gravity of Murdoch’s betrayal in his view.

Bannon, known for his fiery rhetoric, did not hold back in condemning Murdoch and Fox News during the segment belwo. He argued that the network has consistently worked against Trump and his supporters, labeling them as “controlled opposition” and part of the “uni-party.”

He emphasized that the Murdochs, along with figures like Paul Ryan, who sits on the Fox News board, have always been more aligned with globalist interests than with the America First agenda.

Reflecting on his speech at CPAC 2023, Bannon reminded viewers of how he had previously called out Fox News for attempting to “kneecap Trump” as early as the 2016 election cycle. Bannon claimed that Fox News tried to undermine Trump from the start, citing their handling of debates and coverage that he argued was biased against Trump.

“They were never that far in our camp, trust me,” Bannon said. “Even when the numbers closed, Murdoch was never, they were always jiggy about that.”

A key moment in the 2023 WarRoom segment Bannon featured an interview between Raheem Kassam and President Trump, where Trump echoed numerous of Bannon’s sentiments. Trump discussed with Kassam, his experiences with Fox News, particularly their lack of support and apparent bias against him.

“Rupert Murdoch detests Donald Trump,” Bannon stated, emphasizing the disconnect between Fox News’ leadership and its audience.

In the Kassam interview, Trump indeed suggested that the network’s treatment of him has been less about journalism and more about protecting the status quo, which is why he believes Fox News has turned against him.

The following WarRoom segment, including the short clips of Bannon’s CPAC speech and Kassam interviewing Trump, serves as a rallying cry for viewers to seek their information about elections and voting from sources other than Fox News.

Bannon urged his audience to recognize the network’s alignment with establishment forces and turn instead to alternative media representing their interests and values.

“We must break free from the stranglehold of the neoliberal neocon world order,” Bannon insisted, emphasizing the importance of grassroots movements in reclaiming control of the narrative.

Bannon’s criticism of Fox News and Rupert Murdoch encapsulates a broader frustration among some conservatives who feel that mainstream media, even those outlets traditionally viewed as right-leaning, have strayed from their principles. His call to action is clear: it’s time for voters to get their information from elsewhere, from media that genuinely reflects their values and aspirations. In Bannon’s view, this is essential for the preservation of the movement that Trump represents and for the future of the American Republic.

WHAT IS THE STORY OF CINCINNATUS- AND WHY DOES IT MATTER? 

The story of Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus, a Roman statesman from the early Republic, is a tale of civic virtue, humility, and duty to the state. Cincinnatus is often celebrated for his willingness to serve Rome when called upon, only to relinquish power and return to his simple life as a farmer. Here’s a summary of his story:

The Call to Duty
In 458 BC, Rome faced a dire military situation. The Aequi, a neighboring tribe, had surrounded a Roman army, cutting off their escape. The Senate, desperate for a solution, decided to appoint a dictator, a role that granted absolute power but was traditionally held only for six months during emergencies.

Cincinnatus, who had retired to his small farm, was chosen for his reputation of integrity and leadership. According to legend, when the envoys from Rome arrived to inform him of his appointment, they found him plowing his fields. He was initially reluctant, having left public life, but accepted the call to serve his country in its time of need.

Military Leadership
Upon assuming the dictatorship, Cincinnatus quickly assembled an army and marched to relieve the besieged Roman forces. Demonstrating swift and decisive leadership, he surrounded the Aequi at Mount Algidus, forcing them into a difficult position. The Aequi eventually surrendered, and Cincinnatus spared their lives but required them to pass under a “yoke” made of spears as a sign of their subjugation, a symbol of their defeat and humility.

Return to the Plough
With the crisis averted, Cincinnatus returned to Rome as a hero. However, rather than extend his power or pursue further political ambitions, he resigned from his dictatorship just 16 days after taking office, well before his six-month term was over. He returned to his farm and continued his life as a farmer.

Legacy
Cincinnatus’s story became a powerful symbol of Roman virtue, particularly duty, modesty, and civic responsibility. He embodied the ideal that public office should be a temporary service rather than a means to personal gain. His story was celebrated throughout Roman history and later inspired other republican ideals, notably influencing figures like George Washington, often likened to Cincinnatus for his voluntary resignation from power after the American Revolutionary War.

Cincinnatus’s legacy lives on as a paragon of leadership, integrity, and the selfless service of one’s country.

WHY IT MATTERS

Much like Cincinnatus,  Bannon has positioned Donald J. Trump as a champion of the people, advocating for a return of government power to the hands of ordinary citizens. Bannon’s rhetoric often emphasizes the need for a populist resurgence, echoing the ancient Roman statesman’s call for civic duty and leadership grounded in humility and service to the community.

Bannon argues that the United States should refocus on its foundational principles and reinstate a government that serves its citizens, rather than entrenched elites. His vision, reminiscent of “Cincinnatus’s return to his plow”, calls for a return to simplicity, integrity, and a government that genuinely reflects the will and interests of the American people. In Bannon’s view, this means fostering a political environment where leaders are more akin to public servants, ready to relinquish power when their service is complete, rather than those who seek to maintain it indefinitely for personal or political gain.

By drawing these parallels, Bannon seeks to inspire a modern movement that reclaims real democratic ideals, reminiscent of Cincinnatus’s example of leadership—one that prioritizes the greater good over individual ambition, returning control to the people and reviving the true spirit of the republic.

Watch this epic Bannon segment for more from Bannon, who is currently being held as a political prisoner in Danbury, CT. Federal Correctional Facility for refusing to betray President Trump’s Presidential authority to a Democrat Congressional witch hunt over the events of Jan. 6, 2021:

Bannon: President Trump Will Return Like Cincinnatus And Murdoch Can’t Do Anything To Stop It