Steve Bannon on the GOP and the midterms: "We can't afford to lose"
October 11, 2026 / 9:59 AM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Steve Bannon, labeled "The Great Manipulator," is a passionate Trump supporter and identifies as a right-winger, not a conservative.
- Bannon compares President Trump to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, believing Trump is key to the nation's "salvation."
- He hosts the "War Room" podcast and has cultivated relationships with far-right movements in Europe.
- Bannon's filmmaking approach is influenced by Leni Riefenstahl, known for her work with the Nazis, a comparison he uses to explain his populist and nationalistic style.
- He dismisses concerns about Trump's age and speeches, attributing criticism to media bias.
- Bannon claims Trump won the 2020 election, despite numerous court losses, and views the midterms as a crucial fight that Republicans "can't afford to lose."