Steve Bannon Supports Trump's Potential Third Term
Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist, recently expressed his support for a potential third presidential term for Donald Trump in 2028 during an interview with NewsNation's Chris Cuomo. Bannon described Trump as a rare, once-in-a-century leader, stating emphatically, "We've got him now. He's on fire."
At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Bannon secured second place in a straw poll of potential 2028 GOP nominees, trailing behind Vice President JD Vance. Undeterred, Bannon continued to champion Trump's comeback, leading chants from the stage.
Addressing the constitutional issue of term limits, Bannon hinted at possible reinterpretations of the 22nd Amendment. When questioned about this, he cryptically stated, "We're working on it."
Bannon's Recent History:
- Served a four-month sentence for defying a subpoena related to the January 6, 2021 attack
- Released from prison in October 2024
- Engaged in tensions with Trump adviser Elon Musk, criticizing him in a February interview
CPAC Controversy and Constitutional Challenges
The CPAC became a hotbed of controversy surrounding Bannon's speech. Critics accused him of making a gesture reminiscent of a Nazi salute, sparking significant debate. Bannon's response to these accusations was measured, appearing to deflect rather than directly confront the controversy.
In his interview with Chris Cuomo, Bannon faced probing questions about the CPAC straw poll results:
"When Cuomo pressed Bannon on whether he had had anything to do with the placing of his name on the CPAC straw poll list, Bannon insisted he had not, shutting down any speculation that he would launch a surprise presidential campaign himself in three years."
Bannon's approach to addressing the constitutional limitations posed by the 22nd Amendment is notably vague. Rather than advocating for radical changes, he hints at unspecified "alternatives" to interpret constitutional constraints. This approach has sparked both skepticism and curiosity among observers, raising questions about the feasibility of such a plan.
Key Questions:
- How might Bannon's recent release from prison affect public perception of his political activities?
- Does his complex relationship with the establishment and figures like Elon Musk impact his standing within the MAGA movement?
Bannon vs. Musk: A Clash Within MAGA
Within the MAGA movement, tensions have emerged between Steve Bannon and Elon Musk. Bannon's critique of Musk, calling him a "parasitic illegal immigrant," highlights a division on themes of transhumanism and immigration. This disagreement reflects fundamental differences in their visions for technology's role in society and immigration policies.
Despite these differences, Bannon acknowledges areas where Musk's efforts align with the broader goals of the movement:
- Financial contributions to the cause
- Support for voter outreach initiatives
- Implementation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
Bannon described Musk's DOGE initiative as deploying "shock troops" in a "trauma-inducing effort into the administrative state" that, while "not pretty," has been "pretty effective."
Implications for MAGA's Future:
These internal frictions present implications for MAGA's strategic coherence. As the movement considers its future direction, several questions arise:
- How might these divergences impact MAGA's unity and effectiveness?
- Can MAGA reconcile Musk's futuristic technological perspectives with Bannon's traditionalist approach?
- Could these tensions recalibrate MAGA's strategic path or potentially fracture its unity?
- How might this influence efforts to extend Trump's influence and shape the movement's future identity?
The ongoing exchange between Bannon and Musk invites reflection on how the movement can adapt while sustaining its core principles.
- Bannon S. Interview. NewsNation. 2025.
- Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Straw Poll Results. 2025.
- The New York Times. Steve Bannon's Critique of Elon Musk. 2025.